Barcelona secured a confident 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal held in Jeddah on Wednesday, propelling them to their third consecutive final appearance. The goals came from Gavi, who opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and Lamine Yamal, who doubled the lead just after the second half commenced.
Barcelona, renowned for their dominance in the Super Cup with a record 14 titles, will now face the winner of the semifinal clash between Real Madrid and Mallorca, set for Thursday, in the final scheduled for Sunday.
The match started with Barcelona applying pressure, as Raphinha nearly scored with an acrobatic volley and a powerful free kick that was expertly saved by Athletic’s keeper Unai Simón. The breakthrough came when Pedri assisted Alejandro Balde, whose pull-back pass found Gavi. Gavi skillfully slipped a shot through Simon’s legs from just outside the six-yard box.
Although Raphinha had a chance to extend the lead, he missed a one-on-one opportunity against Simon. Athletic Club began to create their own chances, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, made crucial saves to deny attempts from Gorka Guruzeta and Iñaki Williams before halftime.
Lamine Yamal, who had returned from an ankle injury, significantly contributed to the match, and manager Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. Yamal’s goal followed a well-timed pass from Gavi, showcasing the team’s cohesion.
Despite some late attempts from Athletic, including a couple of potential goals that were ruled out for offside, Barcelona remained resolute in defense and ensured a clean sheet, highlighting their strong performance.
In a positive turn for the team, Spain’s National Sports Council’s recent decision to allow for the provisional registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor means they will be eligible to play in the final, adding depth to Barcelona’s squad.
This victory not only represents Barcelona’s impressive form leading into the final but also showcases the emerging talents within the squad, providing fans with great hope for success in the upcoming match. The team’s ability to bounce back from injury setbacks and perform under pressure reflects a bright future ahead.