11.08.2010 23:59

A draw for Spain (1-1) and goals for Ibra and Bojan

Roger Bogunyà

The first batch of friendlies of the new season produced a draw for the World Champions Spain in Mexico and goals for Ibrahimovic and Bojan against Scotland and Finland.

Vicente Del Bosque’s call-up of a large group of Barça players so soon after their summer break led many commentators to question what part they would take in the friendly against Mexico in the Aztec Stadium. In the end, Busquets was on the pitch for 61minutes, Puyol and Valdés 45, Xavi 29, Piqué 25 and Pedro 20. Villa was the only Barça player to make the trip to Mexico that took no part in the match.

Busquets and Puyol in the starting line-up

Busquets and Puyol featured in the staring line-up but were unable to prevent Mexico taking the lead after a quarter of an hour. The goal scorer was Chicharito Hernandez, who recently signed for Manchester United.

The rest of the Barça contingent came on in the second half. For Valdes it was his second international appearance and he has still not conceded a goal with Spain. Pedro came on towards the end of the second half and did much to revitalize the team. Xavi provided the final pass for Silva to equalize in injury time.

Bojan’s goal not enough

Meanwhile, Spain under-21s also had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Finland in a vital match to earn a place in the London Olympic Games in 2012. Bojan and Jeffren lined up in the starting eleven and it was a piece of individual skill by Bojan that provoked a penalty in the 31st minute, which the young striker himself converted from the spot.

Wins for Sweden, Argentina and Belarus

Another Barça striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was also on the score sheet this Wednesday in his first game back with Sweden after a period of self-imposed exile. He got the opening goal (min.4) in Stockholm against Scotland and played 58 minutes in total. Sweden finished with a comfortable 3-0 win.

Over in Dublin, Leo Messi’s Argentina beat Ireland 0-1. Messi also played 58 minutes. Finally, Hleb played in Belarus’ 0-2 defeat of Lithuania, both goals coming from his brother.