The pre-season El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been suspended due to severe weather conditions. The match was halted after 13 minutes of play when officials detected a threat of lightning in the area.
Key updates:
– Match suspended at the 13-minute mark due to lightning threat
– Fans instructed to seek shelter indoors
– Players returned to their respective dressing rooms
– No restart time announced as of the latest update
– Heavy rain continues to fall at the stadium
Prior to the suspension, the match had seen some early action:
– Barcelona dominated possession in the opening minutes
– Real Madrid’s Endrick showed promise with an attacking run
– Referee denied a free-kick appeal from Barcelona’s Bernal following a challenge from Endrick
This high-profile friendly marks both teams’ second pre-season match. Real Madrid entered the game following a 1-0 loss to AC Milan, while Barcelona drew 2-2 with Manchester City in their previous outing, winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-1.
Notable absences include Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid, who is on break following Euro 2024. Barcelona’s new signings Raphinha, Ilkay Gundogan, and Jules Kounde were expected to feature at some point in the match.
As the severe weather persists, officials continue to monitor the situation. The resumption of play remains uncertain, with both teams and fans awaiting further updates.
