Barcelona has advanced to the final of the Spanish Supercup after a commanding 5-0 victory over Athletic Club in their semi-final match held at King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah.
The Catalan team showcased a strong performance, quickly establishing control of the match. The scoring began in the 22nd minute when Ferran Torres capitalized on an opportunity set up by Roony Bardghji, marking his third goal of the season against Athletic, having previously scored twice in a La Liga match in November.
Barely ten minutes had passed when Barcelona doubled their lead. Raphinha delivered an exquisite cross that found Fermin Lopez, who made no mistake and finished accurately to net his side’s second goal, providing the team with a comfortable buffer.
Barcelona continued to press forward, and they soon secured their third goal. Bardghji, starting in place of the rested Lamine Yamal, cut inside and struck a shot that slipped past Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, who will likely feel he should have done better. The first half concluded with Raphinha scoring Barcelona’s fourth goal in the 38th minute, adding to Athletic’s woes.
Raphinha was not finished yet; just seven minutes into the second half, he netted his second of the match to bring Barcelona’s tally to five. After being initially denied, he seized the opportunity when the ball rebounded to him off Bardghji and sent a powerful shot into the far corner, capping off a stellar display by the Catalans.
Barcelona’s decisive first-half performance allowed them to manage the remainder of the match with relative ease. They now look ahead to the final on Sunday, where they will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, with the second semi-final set to take place on Thursday.
This remarkable victory not only highlights Barcelona’s attacking prowess but also sets them up as strong contenders to defend their Supercup title. With a solid foundation laid in this match, the Catalans are poised for an exciting final.