Sports
Spanish S’Cup: Barcelona secure final spot after dominant 5-0 win over Athletico Bilbao
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona cruised into the final of the Spanish Super Cup after a commanding 5-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in their semi-final clash on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.
The defending champions, who are also the most successful club in the competition with 15 titles, will now face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s final. Both teams are set to battle in the second semi-final on Thursday.
Despite starting the match without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was named on the bench, Barcelona showed no signs of slowing down. Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan side dominated proceedings from start to finish.
Playing at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah, Barcelona controlled possession, created numerous chances and overwhelmed Athletic Bilbao with ease, underlining their status as strong favourites to lift the trophy once again.
The La Liga leaders have now won nine matches in a row across all competitions and Athletic, enduring a difficult season, were ripped to shreds.
Last season Barca went on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey after Flick’s side won the Spanish Super Cup for the first trophy of the German’s reign and the coach had said he wanted to use the competition as a springboard for more success again.
Ferran Torres bundled home the opener after 22 minutes with a stroke of fortune after Fermin Lopez’s bungled shot fell kindly for him.
Barca sliced Athletic open with a more attractive second goal, with Raphinha cutting the ball back for Lopez to blast into the top corner, for the first of three goals in eight minutes.
Swedish winger Roony Bardghji got the third after being given a helping hand by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, who somehow mishandled the low shot under his own body and into the net.
It offered Spain coach Luis de la Fuente food for thought, given Simon is his number one and Barca stopper Joan Garcia is knocking at the door ahead of the World Cup, although the Euro 2024 winning manager was absent with the flu.
Raphinha lashed into the top left corner for Barcelona’s fourth after 38 minutes as the Catalans attacked relentlessly.
Oihan Sancet struck the post at the other end with Athletic’s best chance on a miserable night for the Basque side, who last won the competition in 2021.
Brazil international Raphinha grabbed his second soon after the break with a lethal finish from close range to seal Barca’s win.
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