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Chelsea secure pre-season win against Barcelona

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 09:25

Barcelona's midfielder Ivan Rakitic shoots the ball in front of Chelsea's midfielder Mateo Kovacic during their football friendly [TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA / AFP]

Chelsea beat Spanish champions Barcelona 2-1 in their pre-season friendly in Japan on Tuesday.

Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley were on the scoresheet for the Premier League side, while Ivan Rakitic struck Barca’s consolation goal in injury time.

The game saw Frenchman Antoine Griezmann make his debut for the Spanish giants, while 20-year-old American forward Christian Pulisic made his first start for the Blues.

It was Barcelona's first match since returning from their summer holidays and despite a bright start, their lack of match sharpness was evident against Frank Lampard’s men, who were playing their fourth match of pre-season.

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