Barcelona and Manchester City drew in a charity game for ALS research.
In front of 91,062 spectators, Manchester City and Barcelona on Wednesday fought to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Camp Nou thanks to a stoppage time penalty from Riyad Mahrez.
The game served as a fundraiser for ALS research, the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND), with which Juan Carlos Unzue, a former goalkeeper for Barcelona, was diagnosed in 2020.
In the 21st minute, Julian Alvarez gave City the lead, but Barca turned the game around with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong either side of halftime.
Between 1988 and 1990, Unzue played at Camp Nou with City coach Pep Guardiola. From 2008 to 2010, he was on his coaching staff. In 2009, Barca won six trophies while Unzue was a player alongside current Blaugrana manager Xavi Hernandez.
After stints in charge of Racing Santander and Numancia, he returned to Barcelona as Luis Enrique's assistant in 2014. The following year, he helped the Catalan club win their second Treble in club history.
After delivering an emotional pre-game address, Unzue took the honorary first kickoff from his wheelchair on the field before joining Guardiola in the City dugout.
From their previous games, both teams made adjustments. Due to Barca's spending cap limitations, Jules Kounde, who has not yet registered for LaLiga competition, and Aubameyang, who is in talks to join Chelsea, started for the home team.
Young players Palmer and Rico Lewis were signed by City, and newcomer Sergio Gomez started at left back against his former team.
Barca got going right away. Stefan Ortega turned away an early header from Aubameyang before Franck Kessie hit the post. Raphinha then saw one of his shots blocked, but City took the lead.
Alvarez scored as a result of goalkeeper Inaki Pena's error after the latter mishandled a straightforward cross into the box.
Palmer had the chance to double City's lead after a Kounde slip-up, but he blasted over, and seconds later Aubameyang equalised for Barca off a free kick from Raphinha.
After the break, City dominated the game. Alvarez's fine double save allowed Pena to atone for his oversight, but the Premier League team was caught on the break.
Memphis couldn't quite make it around Ortega but the ball fell pleasantly to De Jong and the Netherlands midfielder converted from close range.
When Mahrez connected with Joao Cancelo on the overlap to set up a tap-in for Palmer, City resumed their forward effort and quickly pulled even. The home audience enthusiastically welcomed the entrance of Haaland as both coaches made significant adjustments. His warm-up garnered a raucous applause. Before a lengthy pause owing to an injury to City's Luke Mbete, who left the field on a stretcher after receiving treatment for about 10 minutes, Memphis restored Barca's lead after superb work by Sergi Roberto.
This resulted in a lengthy period of stoppage time, during which Haaland's mishap and Mahrez's successful penalty conversion earned City a draw.
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