Barça look to keep their crown (5–0)

This was no ordinary match, and it showed from the very start. The light show and fireworks lifted the curtain on the big spectacle that was about to begin: the 2026 Spanish Super Cup. FC Barcelona and Athletic Club contested the first semifinal of a tournament that all four teams in this year’s edition have won before.

The opening minutes produced no clear dominance. Barça tried to take control of possession, while the Basque side looked to hurt their opponents with pace down the wings. After the first quarter of an hour, Barcelona had two clear chances to take the lead, but Pedri first and Fermín later were unable to beat Unai Simón.

Those chances boosted Flick’s men, who broke the deadlock just a minute later through Ferran. The Valencia-born forward finished off a ball played by Fermín after an individual run from Bardghji. With barely any time to react, the two supporting acts in the opening goal soon got their reward. Fermín, assisted by Raphinha, and Roony Bardghji, after a pass from the Brazilian, made it 3–0 shortly after the half-hour mark.

The Barça storm was far from over. Raphinha added a stunning fourth with a beautiful strike into the top corner, leaving the Athletic goalkeeper with no chance. Athletic then tried to shake off Barça’s dominance with a slick move involving Iñaki Williams, Berenguer and Sancet, but the Pamplona native’s effort struck the post of Joan Garcia’s goal. With a 4–0 scoreline, referee Isidro Díaz de Mera brought the first half to an end.

The second half began as a continuation of the first. In the 52nd minute, Raphinha struck again to complete his brace. The Brazilian now has six goals in his last six appearances in a Barça shirt. The reigning champions, already closing in on a fourth consecutive Super Cup final, continued to threaten the Athletic penalty area.

Just past the hour mark, one chance at either end drew gasps from the stands. Rashford saw a powerful effort blocked by the Athletic defence, while Unai Gómez failed to convert a one-on-one against Joan Garcia. Late on, Jauregizar tested the Sallent-born goalkeeper, but Garcia gathered the ball after a fine full-stretch save.

The defending champions once again book their place in the final, reaching it for the fourth consecutive time. Flick’s side — who won the coach’s first trophy with Barça in this very competition a year ago — will now look to lift a record-extending 16th Spanish Super Cup next Sunday.

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