Hazard nets fine goal as Blues beat Barca

Eden Hazard scored a brilliant goal as Chelsea ended their pre-season tour of North America by beating Barcelona on penalties after a 2-2 draw in front of a 79,000 crowd in Washington DC.

Kenedy featured for the Blues at FedEx Field, where former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez netted a second-half equaliser and Sandro put Barcelona ahead before Gary Cahill levelled for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Loic Remy scored the winning penalty as Chelsea won 4-2 in the shoot-out after an entertaining 90 minutes.

Hazard showed his trademark skill to beat four defenders and fire home in the 10th minute.

The goal came after Barca keeper Marc-André ter Stegen had produced an early save to keep out Kurt Zouma’s header.

After going ahead, Chelsea continued to attack and almost scored again when Oscar’s free-kick hit the post.

At the other end, Thibaut Courtois twice produced first-half saves to deny Suarez and also did well to keep out an effort from Barca captain Sergio Busquets.

Kenedy, who has been training with the Chelsea squad, was included in the starting line-up.

His move from Fluminese is yet to be formally completed but the Brazilian club granted permission for him to play.

He looked lively during a first half in which Chelsea – and Hazard in particular – were hugely impressive.

However, Suarez always looked a threat and he brought Barca level 10 minutes after the interval by cheekily lifting the ball over Courtois.

Zouma was adamant that he cleared the ball before it crossed the line. But the goal stood and Sandro then curled a wonderful shot beyond Courtois to put Barca ahead.

Cahill’s late equaliser came after he showed great bravery to head in following Willian’s free-kick.

The defender took an accidental whack in the face from keeper Jordi Masip in the process and went off.

His team went on to pick up the International Champions Cup after winning on penalties for the second time in three days.

Andrés Iniesta and Sandro scored in the shoot-out for Barca but Alen Halilović hit the bar and Courtois, whose save proved decisive against Paris St-Germain, denied Gerard Piqué.

Radamel Falcao, Victor Moses and Ramires all scored for Chelsea before Remy belted his spot-kick into the top corner.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill (Chalobah 88), Azpilicueta (Terry 59), Fabregas (Moses 59), Matic (Mikel 59), Kenedy (Ramires 45), Oscar (Willian 45), Hazard (Falcao 68), Costa (Remy 59).

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