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An amazing comeback (4-4)

FC Barcelona drew 4-4 with Club América in an astonishing game which at one point saw the Mexican side leading 4-1. Three goals in the last seven minutes salvaged a draw in a roller coaster pre-season friendly.

The European Champions showed just how much they hate losing – even in pre-season friendlies. After a disappointing first-half display which saw the pace of the Mexicans wreak havoc in the Barca defence and then a second-half own-goal by Oleguer, Barca fought back from 4-1 down to snatch an unlikely draw. The pride and fighting spirit of Frank Rijkaard's men were rewarded with late goals from Saviola, Ronaldinho and Eto'o.

A first-half goal fest

Unlike earlier games on the tour, the first half exploded with intensity, rhythm and goals. After just 3 minutes, Nelson Cuevas fired América ahead after outpacing the Barca defence and becoming the first player to beat Victor Valdes this tour. And Cuevas wasn't finished there.

Barca fought back immediately with a Rafa Marquez goal from a Gio corner in the 5th minute. Then, Gudjohnson and Ezquerro both struck the woodwork in the same attack to cap a pulsating opening to the game.

Counterattack kings

Visibly growing in confidence, Barca started to move the ball well but without creating too many threats to the América goal. The Mexicans for their part were exploiting the pace of their attacking duo of Claudio López and Nelson Cuevas who were giving the Barca defence a thorough examination in the absence of Carles Puyol.

Eventually, the threat turned into goals with Nelson Cuevas doubling his total in the 31st minute before completing a superb first-half hat trick in the 44th minute. Just before half-time, Van Bommel appeared to have pulled one-back but was adjudged offside from Gudjohnsen's pass.

After an exciting first-half, Frank Rijkaard decided to make wholesale changes to give as many players as possible a run out but also to try and claw back the two goal deficit. On came Jorquera, Oleguer, Sylvinho, Ronaldinho, Motta, Eto'o and Deco, who was making his first appearance of the pre-season.

Even more difficult

Then after 62 minutes, it was Lionel Messi's turn to come on to the pitch – the first time he had worn the Barca colours in 5 months. The excitement at seeing the young Argentine quickly evaporated 3 minutes later when the Mexcians made it four - Oleguer putting the ball in his own net following a Claudio Lopez cross.

At 4-1, the score-line could have been embarrassing for the Spanish Champions but they kept working hard, creating chances that Motta, Messi and Eto'o just failed to put away.

Attack after attack

It was looking like one of those nights where the ball just wouldn't go in but finally in the 84th minute Saviola pounced following fantastic work between Eto'o and Ronaldinho. Frank Rijkaard's side had a glimmer of hope and the Dutchmen ordered Deco, Ronaldinho, Saviola, Eto'o and Messi to remain in attack to exploit the many substitutions the Mexican side were making.

Eto'o scores at the death

Still believing a positive result was possible, Ronaldinho made the third, forcing a penalty which he himself converted in the 88th minute. The Mexicans were struggling to hold on and in extra time Saviola whipped the ball across the area and Eto'o was on hand to rise above his marker and nod home a late, late equaliser. It was fantastic reward for a side that simply refused to be beaten.