Barcelona falls in preseason test as 18‑year‑old Hamza Abdelkarim steals the show

Barcelona dropped its first serious preseason friendly, losing to Birmingham in a penalty shootout after the game ended 2–2 on 90 minutes — a match defined by the breakout performance of 18‑year‑old Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim, who scored both Barça goals.

Watching from the stands was Jude Bellingham, wearing the same blue Birmingham jersey he debuted in as a teenager.

A rough start for Flick’s young squad

Hansi Flick fielded a lineup packed with Barça B and youth players, and the team immediately struggled against Birmingham’s aggressive press.

The English side suffocated Barça’s buildup, with fullbacks Espart and Jofre unable to help progress the ball. In midfield, only Tunkara showed flashes of control, while Bernal and Casadó were unusually sloppy.

Up front, debutant Adeyemi had a quiet night. He made two early runs but quickly faded, looking short on rhythm and ideas.

Birmingham capitalized on Barça’s defensive issues, taking the lead around the 30‑minute mark with a header from Priska. Goalkeeper Szczesny reacted late on the play, though he redeemed himself moments later with a strong save.

Hamza steps up

Despite creating almost nothing, Barça found an equalizer thanks to a clumsy penalty by Klarer on Hamza. The Egyptian calmly converted, sending the match into halftime tied 1–1.

A better second half — until the chaos

Barça improved significantly after the break, especially with the entrance of Bardghji, who immediately offered more than Adeyemi. A shot from the Swedish winger turned into an assist of sorts, allowing Hamza to score his second goal of the night.

Then came a wave of substitutions that left Roony as the only first‑team player on the pitch. The lack of cohesion opened the door for Birmingham to equalize, and although Barça pushed hard for a third goal, the match ended 2–2 and went to penalties — where Birmingham prevailed.

Takeaway

Barça’s youngsters showed flashes of promise, but the match also exposed structural issues and inexperience. Hamza Abdelkarim, however, delivered a standout performance that will not go unnoticed by Flick’s staff.

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