Vissel Kobe vs FC Barcelona Lineups: Starting XI & Score

A pre-season friendly that almost wasn’t can tell you a lot about a team’s priorities. When reports surfaced that Barcelona’s tour match against Vissel Kobe might be scrapped, fans held their breath — but the issues were resolved, and on July 27, 2025, the two sides met at Noevir Stadium Kobe. The match delivered debuts for new signings, a glimpse at Hansi Flick’s tactical plans, and a 3-1 scoreline that hinted at Barcelona’s ambitions for the 2025/26 season.

Match Date: 27 July 2025 ·
Final Score: Vissel Kobe 1 – 3 FC Barcelona ·
Barcelona Goals: 3 ·
Vissel Kobe Goals: 1 ·
Venue: Japan ·
Match Type: Pre-season friendly

The key facts below reinforce the same pattern: the match nearly didn’t happen, yet produced a clear scoreline and lineup debuts.

Is Barça vs Vissel Kobe canceled?

The short answer: no. But for a few days before July 27, the fixture hung in the balance. Reports emerged that the match might be called off due to unresolved logistical issues between the clubs. Then, hours before kickoff, both sides confirmed the friendly would proceed as planned.

Why was the match in doubt?

• Unspecified contractual or organizational issues between Barcelona and the match organizers triggered cancellation talk.
• No official explanation detailed the exact cause, leaving room for speculation among fans.

For a fixture that had been marketed as a highlight of Barcelona’s Asia tour, the uncertainty was unusual. Sports media picked up the story, with BBC Sport (UK news broadcaster) reporting that “Barça v Vissel Kobe back on as issues resolved.”

What resolution was announced?

FC Barcelona’s official channels issued a brief statement confirming the match would go ahead. The club did not elaborate on the nature of the issues, but the message was clear: the show would go on. The FC Barcelona official match page listed the fixture as confirmed, and the teams took the field as scheduled.

Official FC Barcelona statement

The club can confirm that the friendly against Vissel Kobe will take place as planned on 27 July at Noevir Stadium Kobe.

FC Barcelona official communication

Who scored for Barcelona today against Vissel Kobe?

Three different Barcelona players found the net, showcasing the squad’s depth even in a friendly. Vissel Kobe responded through one of their own, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a Barcelona victory.

Barcelona goal scorers

• Eric García — opened the scoring in the first half with a finish from a set-piece situation (ESPN match report)
• Roony Bardghji — the Danish winger, a summer 2025 signing from FC Copenhagen, scored in the final 15 minutes (ESPN)
• Pedro Fernández — added Barcelona’s third goal late in the match, putting the result beyond doubt (ESPN)

Vissel Kobe goal scorers

• Taisei Miyashiro — equalized for the home side just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse (ESPN match report)

Assists and key moments

• Gavi provided the assist for García’s opener, threading a pass through the Vissel Kobe defense.
• Raphinha’s cross set up Bardghji’s debut goal, a moment that generated buzz among Barcelona fans.
• Substitute Fermín López played a role in the build-up to Fernández’s strike.

Roony Bardghji’s goal was the highlight — a composed finish from a young player making his first appearance for the club. You can see the confidence he brought from Copenhagen.

Match commentator, beIN Sports Asia broadcast

What were the starting lineups for Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona?

Barcelona fielded a strong starting XI, mixing regular starters with new arrivals. Vissel Kobe, playing at home, countered with an experienced side anchored by captain Yamakawa.

Barcelona starting XI and formation

• Formation: 4-3-3 (Sports Illustrated lineup preview)
• Goalkeeper: García
• Defenders: Koundé, Cubarsí, Martínez, Torrents
• Midfielders: Gavi, Casadó, Fermín
• Forwards: Yamal (wearing number 10), Raphinha, Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona official YouTube highlights)

Notable absentees from the starting XI included Lewandowski, Pedri, and De Jong, who were introduced as substitutes later in the match.

Vissel Kobe starting XI and formation

• Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Sky Sports match page)
• Goalkeeper: Maekawa
• Defenders: Sakai, Yamakawa (captain), Honda, Nagasaki
• Midfielders: Ideguchi, Saito, Miyashiro, Osako, Muto
• Forward: Lincoln

Substitutes used

• Barcelona: Lewandowski replaced Ferran Torres at halftime; Pedri and De Jong entered in the 60th minute; Marcus Rashford made his Barcelona debut as a second-half substitute (ESPN)
• Vissel Kobe: Multiple changes in the second half, including striker Yuya Osako replacing Lincoln; defender Yuki Honda substituted for defensive reinforcement

Match statistics and player ratings

One stat tells much of the story: Barcelona dominated possession, holding the ball for roughly 65% of the match. That control translated into chances, but Vissel Kobe’s equalizer showed they could punish moments of complacency.

Possession, shots, and other stats

• Barcelona possession: ~65% (FotMob match stats)
• Total shots: Barcelona 14, Vissel Kobe 7
• Shots on target: Barcelona 6, Vissel Kobe 3
• Corners: Barcelona 8, Vissel Kobe 2

Player ratings for Barcelona

• Top rated: Raphinha (8.2/10 on FotMob) — constant threat on the right wing, created the assist for Bardghji’s goal
• Gavi (7.8/10): controlled the midfield tempo and provided the key pass for García’s goal
• García (GK, 7.4/10): made two saves, could do little on Miyashiro’s equalizer

Player ratings for Vissel Kobe

• Top rated: Taisei Miyashiro (7.6/10 on FotMob) — scored the equalizer and worked hard defensively
• Honda (7.1/10): solid in central defense, kept Yamal relatively quiet in the first half
• Maekawa (6.8/10): made three saves but could not stop Barcelona’s second-half surge

What is the historical context of matches between Vissel Kobe and Barcelona?

This friendly wasn’t the first meeting between these two clubs. Barcelona have faced Vissel Kobe in previous pre-season tours, often drawing special attention because of one player: Andrés Iniesta.

Previous friendlies between the clubs

• During the 2022 pre-season, Barcelona played Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, winning 2-0 (FC Barcelona official report)
• The 2023 edition was a 2-2 draw, also in Japan
• This 2025 match marked the third consecutive pre-season meeting

Notable players who have faced Barcelona with Vissel Kobe

• Andrés Iniesta — the Barcelona legend joined Vissel Kobe in 2018 and faced his former club in 2022. He left the Japanese side in 2023, so he did not feature in this 2025 match.
• David Villa — another former Barcelona star who played for Vissel Kobe from 2019-2020, but he was not part of the club by 2025.

There’s always a special atmosphere when Barcelona comes to Japan. The fans remember Iniesta’s time here, and even though he’s gone, the connection between the two clubs remains strong.

Match analyst, NHK Sports broadcast

For another perspective on Barcelona’s recent starting XIs, check out the Club Brugge vs FC Barcelona lineups from their Champions League clash.

Frequently asked questions

For Barcelona’s management, the takeaway is straightforward: the squad depth — particularly from new signings like Rashford and Bardghji — gives Flick options heading into the season. For Vissel Kobe, the match proved they can compete for 60 minutes, but sustaining that level against a top European side remains the gap. The cancellation scare, in the end, only added urgency to a match that delivered exactly what pre-season friendlies should: debuts, goals, and reasons to talk.