Debutants Rashford, Bardghji shine in strong pre-season

Teenage star Roony Bardghji scored a debut goal as Barcelona opened their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe in Japan on Sunday.

Eric Garcia made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute of the pre-season friendly, but the response from Vissel Kobe was impressive, with Taisei Miyashiro scoring an excellent goal to level the scores before the break.

Barcelona scored twice more in the latter stages to secure the win, though, with Bardghji coming up with a debut goal, before fellow youngster Pedro Fernandez also registered his first strike for the senior side.

Joan Garcia started between the sticks for Barcelona, as the Spaniard made his first outing for the club as a starter, while both Rashford and Bardghji featured at the half-time break.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

Barcelona look the team to beat once again in La Liga next season, and it would also not be a surprise to see Hansi Flick’s side lift the European Cup, as they were unfortunate in the competition last term.

Rashford’s time at Manchester United has ended on a sour note, but the England international is capable of being a star for Barcelona in 2025-26, while Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all had seriously good 2024-25 seasons, so the Catalan outfit are looking formidable in the final third of the field.

The signing of Bardghji has gone somewhat under the radar, but the 19-year-old had been wanted by a number of major clubs due to the potential that he showed at Copenhagen.

Vissel Kobe had match sharpness on their side in this match, and the hosts can take plenty of encouragement from their performance, which was solid for long spells.

Barcelona could call upon the greater quality of player, though, and this will go down as a very successful start to their preparations for the new season, with Rashford also very bright off the bench in the second period.

VISSEL KOBE VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS

Eric Garcia goal vs. Vissel Kobe (33rd min, Vissel Kobe 0-1 Barcelona)

Barcelona’s first goal of pre-season is scored by a defender, as Eric Garcia fires into the back of the net from close range, but there looked to be a clear handball from the Spaniard; the goal stands due to the absence of VAR.

Taisei Miyashiro goal vs. Barcelona (42nd min, Vissel Kobe 1-1 Barcelona)

Vissel Kobe level the scores in the 42nd minute of the contest, as Miyashiro turns inside the Barcelona box before firing into the bottom corner; it is an excellent turn and strike from the 25-year-old.

Roony Bardghji goal vs. Vissel Kobe (77th min, Vissel Kobe 1-2 Barcelona)

Barcelona score their second of the match in the 77th minute, and it is a debut goal for Bardghji, as the teenager fires the ball into the bottom corner after excellent work from both Lewandowski and Rashford.

Pedro Fernandez goal vs. Vissel Kobe (87th min, Vissel Kobe 1-3 Barcelona)

Barcelona net their third of the match in the 87th minute, and it is the youngster Pedro Fernandez on the scoresheet, as the 17-year-old fires a volley into the back of the net from the edge of the box after an excellent team move.

MAN OF THE MATCH – ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Lewandowski is still going extremely strong at the age of 36, and the experienced striker was a class act in the second half of the match on Sunday; Barcelona lacked a focal point in the opening 45 minutes, but that changed at the break.

The forward did brilliantly to set up Barcelona’s second of the match, and he was also indirectly involved in the third, with his movement creating space for Pedro Fernandez on the edge of the box.

VISSEL KOBE VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS

Possession: Vissel Kobe 21%-79% Barcelona

Shots: Vissel Kobe 8-16 Barcelona

Shots on target: Vissel Kobe 3-5 Barcelona

Corners: Vissel Kobe 2-4 Barcelona

Fouls: Vissel Kobe 8-6 Barcelona

WHAT NEXT?

Vissel Kobe will now switch their attention back to competitive action, with the team set to tackle Toyo Uni in the Emperor Cup on August 6, before resuming their J1 League season against Machida on August 10.

As for Barcelona, the Catalan giants will head to South Korea for matches against Seoul FC and Daegu on July 31 and August 4 respectively, before facing Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10.

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