MATCH REPORT | Barcelona reach third consecutive Super Cup final
FC Barcelona beat Athletic Club in Jeddah on Wednesday with goals from Spain internationals Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
The splendid Spanish Super Cup 2025 now has its first finalist in the shape of FC Barcelona, who secured a brilliant victory over Athletic Club in the tournament opener this Wednesday night.
After a vibrant opening ceremony at the Al Jawhara stadium, Hansi Flick's side stormed out onto the Saudi turf with heavy attacking pressure and speedy ball circulation right from the off.
In the Basque goal, Unai Simón had to be at his best in the face of the onslaught, with Koundé and Raphinha having two great chances before the fifth minute of the match had passed.
The attacking momentum was going to bear fruit, and after a quarter of an hour and thanks to a dazzling one-touch combination between Raphinha, Pedri, Balde and a final shot from Gavi, who was omnipresent during his time on the pitch, it did.
Real Madrid or RCD Mallorca will be hoping to meet the Catalans in Sunday's final on Thursday.
Lewandowski then came close to increasing the lead, but once again the Basque goalkeeper was inspired to keep Valverde's side in the game.
The Basque’s reaction came from Iñaki Williams and his persistence down the flank against a Barça side. However, Barcelona were constantly dangerous with their ball recoveries high up the pitch, turning the tie into a spectacular end- to-end battle before the break.
After the restart, the Catalans went one step further through the gift from the Gods shining talent, Lamine Yamal, who magically brought down a pass from Gavi, which the young star finished off by beating an onrushing Simón.
It was a double blow for Athletic, who brought on Nico Williams and whose reaction to the goal was to put Szcesny's goal under siege with some good chances for the Biscayan side.
However, two goals from De Marcos and Iñaki Williams were disallowed for offside, ensuring victory for FC Barcelona, who will now appear in the final of the Super Super Cup #SuperSupercopa for the third time in a row, this time against Real Madrid or Mallorca.
MATCH INFORMATION
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ATHLETIC CLUB (0): Unai Simón, Lekue (Vesga 63´), Vivian, Paredes, Yuri, Beñat Prados (De Marcos 63´), Jauregizar, Iñaki Williams, Unai Gómez, Berenguer (Nico Serrano 74´) and Guruzeta (Nico Williams 63´). |
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Coach: Ernesto Valverde |
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FC BARCELONA (2): Szczęsny, Koundé, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde (Eric García 83'), Casadó (Gerard Martín 83'), Pedri, Lamine Yamal (Fermín López 63') , Gavi (Frenkie de Jong 73'), Raphinha and Lewandowski (Ferran Torres 73') |
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Coach: Hansi Flick |
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GOALS: 0-1 (17´) Gavi from a first-time shot inside the area after a pass from Balde; 0-2 (52´) Lamine Yamal beats Unai Simón who was on his way out after receiving an assist from Gavi |
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REFEREE: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias Yellow cards for Berenguer (‘51) for Athletic Club and Koundé (’76) for FC Barcelona. Assistant referees: José Antonio Garrido Romero and Guillermo Santiago Sacristán Fourth official: Pablo González Fuertes VAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez AVAR: Antonio Cerezo Parfenof |
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STADIUM: First semi-final of the Super Cup 2025, played at the Al Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The match was attended by the president of the RFEF, Rafael Louzán, accompanied in the VIP box by the presidents of Athletic Club, Jon Uriarte, and FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta. |
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Despite his young age, the FC Barcelona player is playing in his third Spanish Super Cup, a tournament that is already on his list of honours and of which he has great memories.
The two semi-finals and the grand final will be held at the stadium between Wednesday, 8 January, and Sunday, 12 January.
Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca have landed in the host city of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.
La Supercopa está a punto de arrancar y ya se conocen los equipos arbitrales que dirigirán cada uno de los tres partidos que consagrarán al nuevo supercampeón de España