Catalan giants Barcelona swept aside Brazilian side Chapecoense to win the Joan Gamper Trophy in a game that will be remembered for the emotional tributes paid to the Chapecoense plane crash survivors pre-match.
Survivors Helio Neto and Jackson Follman were invited onto the pitch at the Camp Nou to take kick-off. Whilst fellow survivor Alan Ruschel captained the Brazilian side.
All three were given a tremendous reception by the crowd at the Camp Nou.
On an emotional night for all involved with Chapecoense, the gap in quality between the sides was evident throughout.
Barca threatened from the very first minute with Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic going close, before Gerard Deulofeu put them ahead after just 6 minutes. After playing a one-two with Suarez down the right, Rakitic then had the presence of mind to nutmeg an onrushing defender before drawing the 'keeper and squaring to the former Everton man to tap into an empty net from six yards.
That lead was doubled just 5 minutes later as Sergio Busquets showed his doubters that he is much more than just an enforcer. The midfielder gathering the ball from Deulofeu just outside the Chapecoense box and curling a sensational effort into the top corner with a little help from the bar.
Chape took 15 minutes to have their first effort, as Wellington drove forwards and scuffed a left footed effort wide of Ter Stegen’s left-hand post.
Barca continued to attack with intent and they made it 3-0 after 28 minutes
Messi spun a defender and danced past a challenge 30 yards out before spraying the ball wide for Deulofeu on the left. His first effort at a cross was blocked by Otavio but he succeeded in putting it in the box at the second time of asking and Messi, who had continued his run from deep, lifted the ball over Curzel and into the net from close-range.
Curzel performed heroics to keep the score respectable before being replaced late on with Gerard Deulofeu impressing for Barca with a goal and two assists in the first half.
Man of the hour Alan Ruschel was withdrawn just after the half hour mark, having recorded a 100% pass completion ratio during his time on the pitch.
Barca went into the break with the game well under control and their dominance continued in the second half.
Luis Suarez made it 4-0 after 55 minutes when he blasted past Curzel at the near post after a nice bit of interplay with Lionel Messi.
Messi was at the heart of things again after 74 minutes when his fine through ball put Denis Suarez in and the playmaker slotted past Curzel from 12 yards.
The game became very stop-start in the second half as both sides made regular substitutions.
Chape were given something to celebrate late on as Moraes flung himself to his right to keep out Paco Alcacer’s penalty after Nelson Semedo was brought down in the box.
Barca ran out comfortable winners in the end, but this game was about so much more than the result for Chape.
Barcelona may have won the Joan Gamper trophy, but Chapecoense won the hearts of the Camp Nou.