In 2007, a star-studded Barcelona squad came to South Africa to face Mamelodi Sundowns in a friendly encounter at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.

The Spanish side came from a goal down to beat Masandawana 2-1 on the day.

Sundowns took the lead after just two minutes when Brent Carelse latched on to Vuyo Mere’s low cross before setting up Surprise Moriri, who slotted the ball past Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Calvin Marlin kept Sundowns’ lead intact before the half-time interval when he made point-blank saves to deny the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Ludovic Giuly respectively.

Despite the Spanish side dominating the first half, Carelse, Josta Dladla and Patrick Apataki had chances to extend the home side’s lead, but the trio were unable to find the net.

Barcelona’s persistence paid off in the 74th minute when Santiago Ezquerro levelled matters from a Ronaldinho free kick.

Ronaldinho turned the game around when he provided a superb pass over the top to Marc Crosas, who fired the ball past the Sundowns shot-stopper with six minutes remaining.

Watch: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Barcelona