A loss for Barça Legends in Mexico against Morelia Leyendas (2-1), but they can be pleased with their performance. Both sides put on a great show at Estadio Morelos, with chances coming thick and fast in a game that was played in a real party atmosphere. The home side got two first half goals in quick succession, before Gaizka Mendieta got one back for the blaugranes.

The side coached by Rubén Omar Romano started better, with their first effort coming after four minutes, as Elias Hernández fired wide across the goal, before two more chances were spurned four minutes later. Mendieta was proving the most effective for Albert Ferrer's side and his shot went over the bar a minute later. Sergi Barjuan unfortunately had to be replaced by Fernando Navarro due to what looked like a calf injury during this period.

Home side go ahead

The side from Michoacán state made the most of their early running to go ahead before quickly extending their lead, Carlos Morales finishing across Angoy from outside the area (min 14), before a Jefferson Montero long shot made it two just three minutes later (min 17).

Blaugranes get better

A water break and things got better for the visitors. Nolito won a penalty, but Javier Saviola saw his effort pushed away for a corner by Federico Villar (min 31). Now almost half-time, Rivaldo had a chance to halve the lead, but there was Villar again. Half-time score, 2-0.

Blaugranes on top

More of the same after the break, with many blaugrana chances but no reward, including a Nolito long shot and a Gerard López header. Morelia also went close to making it three in one of their only efforts in the half.

Nolito was leading the threat for the visitors and almost scored a great goal after 62 minutes, only to be thwarted by the keeper, He would have another two chances later, unfortunately without the ball hitting the back of the net.

Mendieta gets one back

The Barça Legends didn't give up though and Gaizka Mendieta finally got one back, his left foot effort going into the top corner after an assist by Ludovic Giuly (2-1, min 83). There was still time for one more chance, as Gerard López headed and missed from a Guily cross. They may have gone down to defeat in Morelia, but this was a very good performance in a match played in a party atmosphere and enjoyed to the full by the 14,320 in attendance.

MATCH STATS

Morelia Leyendas 2
Barça Legends 1

Morelia Leyendas: Federico Villar, Chagui Martínez, Achilier, Gerardo Ruíz, Carlos Morales, Aldo Leao, Roberto Palacios, Jefferson Montero, Damían Álvarez, Bofo Bautista, Rey. Tripa Pérez, Adrián Aldrete, Hugo Droguett, Wilson Matías, Elias Hernandez, Claudinho, Reinaldo Navia, Raul Ruidiaz all also featured.

Barça Legends: Angoy, Sorín, Frank de Boer, Rafa Márquez, Martín Montoya, Sergi Barjuan, Cocu, Marc Crosas, Gaizka Mendieta, Rivaldo, Javier Saviola. Xavier Guzmán, Andreu Fontàs, Marc Valiente, Fernando Navarro, Roberto Trashorras, Gerard López, Ludovic Giuly, Nolito all also featured.

Goals: 1-0, Carlos Morales (min 14); 2-0, Jefferson Montero (min 17); 2-1, Mendieta (min 83).

Referee: Saul Silva.

Attendance: 14,320 at Estadio Morelos.