Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal held in Jeddah, showcasing their prowess as they moved to the final for the third consecutive time. Gavi opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from close range in the 17th minute, followed by Lamine Yamal, who efficiently doubled the lead just seven minutes into the second half.
Barcelona, known for their dominance in the Super Cup with 14 titles, now eagerly anticipates facing the winner of the semifinal clash between Real Madrid and Mallorca on Sunday.
The match began with Barcelona applying immediate pressure, with Raphinha first attempting an acrobatic volley and later testing goalkeeper Unai Simón with a powerful free kick. The breakthrough came when Pedri delivered a precise pass to Alejandro Balde, who assisted Gavi’s opener.
Although Raphinha missed a strong opportunity to extend their lead, Barcelona maintained control, with keeper Wojciech Szczesny making critical saves against promising efforts from Athletic Bilbao, including a close call from Iñaki Williams.
Despite his recent ankle injury, Lamal emerged as a standout performer, culminating in a beautiful goal assisted by Gavi, demonstrating why coach Hansi Flick chose to start him. After the match, Flick expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of their journey to the final and their clean sheet.
Athletic Bilbao, despite being a formidable opponent, struggled to capitalize on their chances, including a near miss from Iñaki Williams and a couple of goals disallowed for offsides.
Additionally, a recent decision by Spain’s National Sports Council to provisionally register players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor means they will be available for selection in the final, adding to Barcelona’s growing optimism.
In summary, Barcelona’s strong performance against Athletic Bilbao not only secures their place in the Super Cup final but also demonstrates a resilient team spirit, as they look forward to adding another trophy to their illustrious history. Fans can remain hopeful as the team appears to be hitting their stride just in time for the final showdown.