Chivas de Guadalajara earned its first win of the World Football Challenge Wednesday by beating Barcelona 4-1 in Miami. The Goats did the damage in the second half, with a Marco Fabian brace setting the stage for the come-from-behind win.
A South Florida-record 70,000 fans crammed into Sun Life Stadium to watch the friendly.
"We're so happy the stadium was crowded," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola told reporters. "The game was good. There were many, many goals and many chances. For us, it's an honor, just to say thank you to the people for the support. I hope to come back next year or in the next two years."
Barcelona got the ball rolling early. A raking Gerard Pique ball out of the back sprung the Chivas offside trap in the fourth minute, and David Villa scooped the ball out from under his feet just in time to slot past Luis Ernesto Michel.
Later in the half, Jona Dos Santos tried a similar ball. Villa collected on his chest and chipped the keeper with a delicate lob, but his shot nicked the crossbeam on its way out.
Fabian made his mark after an hour of play and within two minutes had scored two highlight-reel goals. The equalizer was a 30-yard lightning bolt of a shot into the upper corner, and the second an athletic first-time volley in the box to smash home Omar Arellano's cross.
The marking on both goals was lackluster, but not as bad as the acre of green Barcelona gave Giovani Casillas. The youngster had enough room to flub his first attempt and still recover in time to poke home his side's third.
"I am not surprised by Chivas' performance," Guardiola said. "Mexican football is very dynamic and entertaining."
José Luis Verduzco scored to ice the game in injury time after a fumbling punch by Jose Manuel Pinto.
"Our team was able to capitalize on its opportunities," Chivas coach Jose Luis Real told reporters. "Even in the first half, we had our chances. I was very proud how we kept our composure when the shots didn't go in."
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