Barcelona played Host to a Friendly between Catalonia and Palestine on Tuesday night, where those present at the Estadi Oliis Lluis in Montjuic were matched against Turkiye a few hours later in Seville. They surrounded the 30,000 fans who attended the game, which aims to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, who were victims of the brutal extermination in the Gaza strip at the hands of the Israeli army.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was there on TV3, and witnessed many lights. The Palestinian team presented Catalonia with a traditional keffiyeh, a Headscarf tradition in Palestinian culture. At that time the game was opened by ‘Cont del Ocells’ or The Song of the Birds Lament, played in memory of those who have suffered and perished.
Catalonia paid tribute to Palestinian players killed in Gaza by playing “El Cant Pels Ocells” before kick-off.
The traditional Catalan song is considered a symbol of freedom and resistance, often performed in times of mourning and hope. pic.twitter.com/9a2bb15j61
– Leyla WADELWE (@HLEMED) November 18, 2025
Catalonia Score Victory After Early Goals
The Catalan side took the lead early on, as Ilie Sanchez got on the end of a free-kick from Sergi Gomez after just five minutes.
⚽️ Goool de Catalunya!
🥅 La Passada de Sergio Gómez És un Autonctictic Regal by Ilie Sánchez!
Catalunya 1⃣-0⃣ Palestine# CatalunyapalIna3Cat
📺 Segueix El Partit a TV3 I 3CAT:
▶️ pic.twitter.com/qdobfx3jib– Esport3 (@esport3) November 18, 2025
Catalonia would double their lead in the 26th minute, with Girona winger Joel Rosa putting in a cross and Medmed Mahajna putting the ball behind his own net.
⚽️ Segon de Catalunya!
🥅 La centrada de Joel Roca Acabant a Calos In Gol En Pro Perteria!
Catalunya 2⃣-0⃣ Palestine# CatalunyapalIna3Cat
📺 Segueix El Partit a TV3 I 3CAT:
▶️ pic.twitter.com/ISDYPL64FS– Esport3 (@esport3) November 18, 2025
Palestine pulled one back just after the interval, with Zeidan firing home from almost the goal line; A goal that was celebrated more than catalan goals. After the goal-less second half, the Palestinian team thanked the fans with a lap of praise.
⚽️ Gol de Palestine!
✅ Zeidan takes advantage of Rebuig I Marca El Primer with L”EPOPET PALESTÍ!
Catalunya 2⃣-1⃣ Palestine# CatalunyapalIna3Cat
📺 Segueix El Partit a TV3 I 3CAT:
▶️ pic.twitter.com/i52czp2aiv– Esport3 (@esport3) November 18, 2025
‘This is for all Palestinians who cannot speak’ – Yaser Down
At that time the Palestinian player was organized, who grew up in Bilbao, explained what it means to the Palestinian people in ONDA CERO.
“I have been representing the Palestinian football team for seven years now, and I do it with great pride. Solidarity shown in a historic country, where we believed in dreams that never happened.”
On Saturday, similar emotional scenes were played at San Maz in Bilbao, as the Palestinian team faced the Basque National Team. Hemed asserted that the Palestinian group represented all Palestinians worldwide without a voice.
Image: Marc Bernal in a friendly match between Catalonia and Palestine. pic.twitter.com/esjghnmmf3m
– Barcantre (@barcacentre) November 18, 2025
“These have been very bad years; I have lost family members. I hope that after these games we send a strong message to the world that everything needs to live in peace and calm.”
“Some players have families in Gaza and other cities. We have a responsibility to protect Palestine in the best possible way and use all the millions – to represent those millions – to represent those millions – to represent those millions – to represent.”
