Buenos Aires, December 9 (NA) -- River Plate drew 2-2 with Spanish Barcelona in the match played tonight at the Chase Stadium in Miami, in the first matchday of Group B of the Messi Cup, a friendly tournament promoted by the Argentine star.
According to the Argentine News Agency, in a tournament for players under 16, the goals for the Argentine team were scored by forwards Bruno Cabral and Joaquín Amor, while for the rival, winger Ruslan Mba and defender Ahmed Abarkane scored in the final regulation minute.
With the draw, in a competition whose matches last 80 minutes, the "Millionaire" and the Catalan team are tied for third and second place in Group B, with one point each.
In the next matchday, to be played on Wednesday, December 10, River will face English Manchester City at 6:00 PM (Argentine time).
The match was watched attentively by Messi himself and his teammate Luis Suárez, with whom he also shared the attack front for the "Culé," from one of the boxes.
The first goal of the night came in the 34th minute of the first half, when forward Ruslan Mba received the ball on the left side of the area, advanced, and took a cross-shot that went in near the post.
In the 15th minute of the second half, a foul inside the area generated a penalty in favor of the red-striped team, which attacker Bruno Cabral converted into a goal with a cross-shot at mid-height.
River took the lead just three minutes later, with a good low cross from the left by defender Cristian Gómez, which allowed Joaquín Amor to anticipate the near post and make it 2-1, although, in the 40th minute of the second half, defender Ahmed Abarkane took advantage of a rebound in the area and sealed the draw.
