XtraTime Web Desk: Lionel Messi gets the better of his former team-mate Carlos Tevez as he and new signing Malcom were among the scorers as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win over Boca Juniors to win the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Having lifted the Supercopa de Espana thanks to a slender 2-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, Barca again looked in good shape ahead of its title defence in LaLiga, which begins on Saturday against Deportivo Alaves, sweeping a feisty Boca aside with minimal fuss.
Barca gradually found its stride and went close for the first time in the 16th minute – Philippe Coutinho tricking his way past one opponent before forcing Esteban Andrada into flying save with a stinging effort.
Andrada made a mess of things shortly after, however, allowing Malcom’s low drive to squirm under him after the Brazilian had squeezed a shot past Boca right-back Julio Buffarini.
The host deservedly doubled its lead six minutes before the break – Messi delicately chipping a fine finish over Andrada after his attempted pass to Coutinho came back off Buffarini and fell perfectly into his path.
However it was fortunate to not concede on the stroke of half-time when Sebastian Villa broke into the area and fired against the left-hand post.
Barca was a little less fluid after eight half-time changes, but Malcom did at least test Andrada from long range in the 55th minute following a clever bit of play by Riqui Puig.
It eventually added a third 23 minutes from time – Rafinha playing a one-two with Luis Suarez, before flicking the ball over Andrada and knocking in from close range. Paco Alcacer had a late goal disallowed for offside, but Barca eased to victory nevertheless.