DOHA: Barcelona were crowned champions of the 11th Al Kass International Cup after a commanding 5-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final at Mansour Muftah Stadium.
The Spanish side took early control through Artem Rebak, who opened the scoring in the ninth minute before adding his second just after the hour mark. Ignasi Marti struck in the 41st minute, Hugo Langunas made it 4-2 in the 52nd, and a late own goal by PSG’s Mathieu Petit in the 77th minute sealed a convincing triumph. Paris Saint-Germain’s goals came from Moulaye Niakate in the 11th minute and Abdel Shahid Al Mazwari in the 38th.
The success marked Barcelona’s first-ever Al Kass International Cup title, adding their name to a list of previous winners that includes Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid (three titles each), Aspire Academy (two), Fluminense of Brazil, and Rangers of Scotland.
In the third-place playoff, Morocco’s Mohammed VI Academy edged Aspire Academy 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Imran Dakich gave the Moroccan side the lead in the 41st minute before Aspire’s Adham Adnan equalised late on.
Barcelona captain Hugo Langunas was named Player of the Tournament, Iyad Hamza of the Mohammed VI Academy claimed the Best Goalkeeper award, while Riku Inada of Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol finished as top scorer with six goals.
