Some parts of the world are in full swing (AFCON, European leagues, the Asian Cup), while others are in preparation mode (USA, Saudi Arabia), so the idea was to put together a show for the rich Arabs and put together Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar together for one, (probably) last time. The occasion was the ‘Riyadh Season Cup’, but in the first match, former Barcelona teammates couldn’t hold a reunion on the pitch, considering that Neymar is injured. But former Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović was there to score one of seven goals in a match which ended with Al Hilal’s victory 4-3. Both Messi and Luis Suarez scored a goal apiece and the Argentinian also had an assist.The game was the latest leg of Miami’s globe-trotting pre-season tour ahead of the start of the Major League Soccer season on February 21. Former Fulham striker and Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Al Hilal ahead in the 10th minute, coolly side-footing his finish beyond Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender after a well-worked move that split the defence wide-open. Saudi international forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan made it 2-0 after 13 minutes, punishing a botched clearance from Miami defender Noah Allen. Sergio Busquets should have pulled a goal back for Miami in the 26th minute but volleyed over from close range with just Al Hilal goalkeeper Hbib Alwotayan to beat.On 34 minutes, though, Miami’s pressure got its reward. A lofted pass from Jordi Alba over the top caught the Al Hilal defence square, and Julian Gressel latched onto the ball before sliding into the path of Suarez, who finished into an empty goal at the far post. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but a VAR check overturned the offside call, and the goal stood. Al Hilal restored their two-goal advantage a minute before half-time, however, when Al-Hamdan crossed into the area for Brazilian forward Michael to nod home after Callender rushed off his line. Miami responded strongly after the break and drew level with two goals in two minutes soon after the restart. Messi made it 3-2 from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Mohammed Jahfali was harshly adjudged to have brought down David Ruiz in the area. Al Hilal were still regrouping from the penalty when Miami levelled. Messi swept a long pass into the path of Ruiz, and the winger cut in from the left and uncorked a ferocious strike that made it 3-3. The game seemed destined to end in a draw, but Malcolm headed home two minutes from time to seal the win. Miami faces Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in their second friendly in Saudi Arabia on Thursday before heading to Asia for games in Hong Kong and Japan.##NAJAVA_MECA_7837823##
