| 2016 Catalonia International Trophy | |
| Other Titles: | Trofeu Catalunya Internacional 2016 |
| Event: | Catalonia International Trophy |
| Team1: | Catalonia |
| Team1score: | 3 |
| Team2: | Tunisia |
| Team2score: | 3 |
| Details: | Tunisia won 4–2 on penalties |
| Stadium: | Estadi Montilivi |
| City: | Girona, Spain |
| Man Of The Match1a: | Xavi (Catalonia) |
| Referee: | Alfonso Álvarez (Spain) |
| Attendance: | 8,311[1] |
| Previous: | 2013 |
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.[2]
The two teams previously faced each other once during the 2011 edition at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain. The match ended in a 0−0 draw.[3] Despite the draw, the Catalan team conceded the trophy to Tunisia in a clear display of fair play.[4]
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 0−2. 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.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7] He got back into the game with the 2−3, made by Gerard Valentín and signed by Sergio García. The goal gave even more spark to Catalonia, which did not take long to make it 3−3, the work of Verdú after a great cross, also from the right, by Álvaro Vázquez. In the last few minutes, the selection has been looking for the 4−3 with insistence, but has not found it despite having some very interesting arrivals. He also had the 3−4 Tunisia in the last gasp.[8]
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