The 2016 Catalonia International Trophy is the 6th edition of the Catalonia International Trophy, pitted Catalonia against Tunisia on 28 December 2016 at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Tunisia won the title after winning on penalties.
The two teams previously faced each other once during the 2011 Catalonia International Trophy at the Estadi OlÃÂmpic LluÃÂs Companys in Barcelona, Spain. The match ended in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. Despite the draw, the Catalan team conceded the trophy to Tunisia in a clear display of fair play.
In the first half, Tunisia came out much more revolutionized than Catalonia and in a few minutes was ahead on the scoreboard thanks to two goals in twelve minutes by the same player, Youssef Msakni, who bravely made the pair of central players suffer, Andreu Fontàs and Sergi Gómez, and they were anticipated twice to make it 0âÂÂ2. Catalonia, under the baton of Xavi Hernández, reacted and a step forward resulted in Gerard Moreno's goal, with a strong left-footed shot from the front of the area.
Far from losing continuity, the wheel of changes after the break has made the game gain dynamism. Xavi received one of the biggest ovations of the evening when Gerard and Sergio replaced him in the second half for Oriol Riera. Girona footballer Pere Pons, who played the second 45 minutes, has also been highly acclaimed by Montilivi. Another time Msakni, with a pipe from the front unstoppable for Edgar Badia, has put two goals ahead for Tunisia and forced Catalonia to row again against the current.
The selection, however, has offered a spectacular final stretch of the match and with a great reaction. He got back into the game with the 2âÂÂ3, made by Gerard ValentÃÂn and signed by Sergio GarcÃÂa. The goal gave even more spark to Catalonia, which did not take long to make it 3âÂÂ3, the work of Verdú after a great cross, also from the right, by ÃÂlvaro Vázquez. In the last few minutes, the selection has been looking for the 4âÂÂ3 with insistence, but has not found it despite having some very interesting arrivals. He also had the 3âÂÂ4 Tunisia in the last gasp.