Football

Roma rock Barca from two down

Facing the team that he rejected after Barcelona dramatically hijacked the deal at the last moment, Malcom was on target within four minutes of the second half against AS Roma on Tuesday. Photo: REUTERS

Roma scored three goals in eight minutes as the Serie A side twice came from behind to stun Malcom and Barcelona 4-2 at the International Champions Cup.

All eyes were on Malcom after he opted to join La Liga champions Barca, who dramatically Roma's €40million deal to sign the Brazilian last week.

Malcom -- who was preparing to fly out to the Italian capital after Roma reached an agreement with Bordeaux before Barca stepped in at the last minute -- was in the thick of the action on Tuesday, scoring the easiest of goals to put the Spanish giants 2-1 up.

Unmarked at the back post, the 21-year-old's tap-in four minutes into the second half restored Barca's lead after Stephan El Shaarawy cancelled out Rafinha's opener.

But Roma completed a late comeback -- Alessandro Florenzi equalising in the 78th minute before quick-fire goals from Bryan Cristante and Diego Perotti turned the match on its head.

Malcom's performance earned praise from coach Ernesto Valverde, who said: "He is a player that relates well with the game. He is a strong player who can get between the lines and it is difficult to move him."

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