Barcelona beat Saudi champions Al-Ahli 5-3 in a friendly in Doha on Tuesday with goals from Luiz Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar. The superstar trio all scored by the 17th minute, helping the Spanish giants to stroll into an early three-goal lead.
Suarez opened the scoring with a glancing header in the eight minute from a Messi cross, before the Argentine quickly added a second just two minutes later.
Neymar, who had been struggling with a muscle strain since the Clasico against Real Madrid earlier this month, netted a fine third with a curling shot in the 17th minute. Further goals from Paco Alcacer and Rafinha meant the La Liga champions were able to withstand a second-half comeback from the Saudi side.
Among the scorers for Al-Ahli was Omar Abdulrahman, AFC player of the year for 2016. He scored with a "Panenka" penalty in the 51st minute after Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip gave away the spot-kick.
The keeper may have been the only Barca player who did not enjoy the run-out in Qatar as he was also easily beaten at the near post for Al-Ahli's second, scored by Muhannad Assiri.
The game was being played as part of Barcelona's sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways. Al-Ahli are also sponsored by the Gulf carrier.The game was billed as the "Match of Champions" and Barcelona were presented with an 18 carat gold cup afterwards, specially commissioned for the game.
