Ansu Fati scored a classy goal and looked dangerous in 45 promising minutes, leading Barcelona to a 1-0 win over AC Milan to close out their pre-season tour of the United States. The winger's bending strike broke open an otherwise simmering contest, and suggested that the player, once assumed to be dead weight at Camp Nou, could have a role to play for this team yet.
The two sides exchanged chances in the early goings, with Jules Kounde cracking a shot off the post and Fikayo Tomori putting a free header over the bar. Rafael Leao came closest for Milan in the final minutes of the first half, evading three defenders before seeing his close-range shot denied by Inaki Pena.
Fati's introduction at half-time changed things. He broke the deadlock shortly after the break, cutting onto his right foot and releasing a lovely curled effort into the top corner, a shot Mike Maignan could only watch as it landed in the net. The winger could have made it two, too, but saw a point-blank effort turned away by a last-ditch slide tackle after a dangerous run from Alejandro Balde.
Although Barca manager Xavi would undoubtedly like to have seen his side put Milan away — they put a few more chances wide in the closing minutes — this was yet another promising runout for a team looking to defend its La Liga crown. And, if Fati continues to glimmer, they could have Ousmane Dembele's replacement ready to go without having to spend a penny.
GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Allegiant Stadium...