Hamza Abdelkarim scored shortly after coming off the bench as Barcelona defeated FC Basel 5-2 in a pre-season friendly at St. Jakob-Park.
The 18-year-old entered at half-time with the score level at 1-1. He needed only four minutes to make an impact, putting Barcelona ahead in the 49th minute.
The goal was Abdelkarim’s third for Barcelona’s first team during pre-season. He previously scored twice in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City on July 31, although the English side won the subsequent penalty shootout.
Karim Adeyemi gave Barcelona the lead against Basel after 34 minutes. Mahamadou Doucoure equalised for the Swiss side nine minutes later.
Abdelkarim then restored Barcelona’s advantage early in the second half. Lamine Yamal converted a penalty in the 81st minute to make it 3-1.
Kazeem Olaigbe briefly reduced the deficit from the spot before Jesse Bisiwu scored twice in the closing minutes, completing the 5-2 victory.
Abdelkarim has emerged as one of Barcelona’s standout young players this summer. His brace against Birmingham earned praise from head coach Hansi Flick, who said the Egyptian had fulfilled what he demands from a number nine.
The forward initially joined Barcelona on loan from Al Ahly in February. He became the first Egyptian to represent a Barcelona side.
He scored six goals in 11 appearances for the club’s U19 team. His tally included a hat-trick in a 9-0 win over Montecarlo that secured the División de Honor title.
Barcelona exercised their purchase option in June and signed Abdelkarim permanently. His contract runs until June 2029.
Barcelona will conclude their preparations against Abdelkarim’s former club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, August 19.