Suarez amongst the goals as Barcelona beat LA Galaxy

Luis Suarez was amongst the goals as Barcelona won their first match of the International Champions Cup with a 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.

Over 90,000 packed into the stadium to see Suarez reunited with former Liverpool team-mate and now LA Galaxy player Steven Gerrard but it was the Barcelona man who impressed, opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a poacher’s finish after poor defending.

Barcelona were without Lionel Messi and Neymar who have been given extra time off after featuring in the Copa America but Luis Enrique’s side were impressive none the less and Sergi Roberto, who Everton have been linked with recently, doubled his side’s advantage on 56 minutes after his deflected shot struck the back of the net.

LA Galaxy made 11 changes at the break and they performed much better in the second period. They missed a couple of guilt edge chances, Ariel Lassiter in particular, but they were rewarded with a consolation goal when Tommy Myers headed in from a corner delivery in stoppage time at the end of the match.

The European champions continue their pre-season tour on Saturday when they face Manchester United at Santa Clara.

21’ - WIDE! The ball sits up perfectly for a shot but Suarez can't connect properly with a right-footed effort, shooting wide.

33’ - SAVE! Best chance of the match as Sergi Roberto curls a stinging effort from the edge of the penalty area and Rowe does brilliantly to parry the ball out for a corner.

45’ - GOAL - BARCELONA 1-0 LA GALAXY! Suarez opens the scoring with a real poacher's effort on the stroke of half-time after Leonardo fails to clear. Questionable whether it struck Suarez's arm before he strikes it into the net.

52’ - SAVE! Pique, of all people, finds himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he can't find a way past Wolverton who makes a great stop to deny him.

56' - GOAL - BARCELONA 2-0 LA GALAXY! Galaxy lose possession in a crucial area of midfield and then fail to clear it allowing Sergi Roberto to smash the ball home from all of 12 yards.

65’ - WIDE! Poor defending this time from Barcelona allows Lassiter time to pick a shot but he rather scuffs his effort and it goes well wide of the target. Best chance for Galaxy so far.

73’ - WIDE! Mendiola finds Lassiter with a wonderful through pass but he can't test the goalkeeper, shooting wide of the goal. It was a great move let down by poor finishing.

84’ – CROSSBAR! The corner is whipped in, the ball falls to Sandro who rifles a shot at the woodwork! It looked as though the goalkeeper had got a touch to it but judging by the replay he didn't.

91’ - GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 LA GALAXY! Myers bravely meets the ball with his head from a corner delivery and Galaxy have a consolation!

Suarez amongst the goals again – Luis Enrique’s side strolled through this match and the coach won’t have learnt too much about his charges but he will be pleased with Suarez’s contribution, particularly his goal on the stroke of half-time. Everton target Sergi Roberto also impressed and got his name on the score-sheet.

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – Replaced at half-time, swapping shirts with Gerrard, Suarez was impressive in the 45 minutes he played and looked razor sharp. He took his goal well and it should be another cracking season in Barcelona colours for the Uruguay star.

BARCELONA: Masip 6; Rakitic 7, Sergio 6, Pedro 7, Luis Suarez 8, Rafinha 7, Bartra 7, Douglas 6, Sergi Roberto 8, Adriano 6, Mathieu 6. Used subs: J.Suárez 7, Piqué 6, Iniesta 6, Munir 6, Alba 6, Sandro 6, Vermaelen 6, Gumbau 6.

LA GALAXY: Rowe, Gargan, DeLaGarza, Leonardo, Dunivant, Juninho, Walker, Maganto, Gerrard, Husidic, Keane. Subs: Wolverton, Vayrynen, Villarreal, Rogers, Buddle, Lletget, Meyer, Garcia, McBean, Jamieson, Mendiola, Steres, Lassiter, Romney.