Barcelona Advances to Spanish Super Cup Final with 2-0 Win Over Athletic Club

Barcelona secured their spot in the Spanish Super Cup final with a convincing 2-0 victory over Athletic Club on Thursday. The match, played at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw Barcelona dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.

The Catalan giants took the lead in the 17th minute through a clever finish from Gavi. The young midfielder found himself in the right place at the right time, slotting the ball past Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón from close range.

Barcelona continued to press for a second goal, with Robert Lewandowski and Ansu Fati both coming close. However, it wasn’t until the 53rd minute that the visitors doubled their lead. Yamal, who had replaced Lewandowski at halftime, scored his first goal for Barcelona with a clinical finish.

Athletic Club pushed hard to get back into the game, but Barcelona’s defense held firm. The victory marks a significant milestone for Barcelona, who are seeking to win their first Spanish Super Cup title since 2021.

“We are very happy with the result and the performance,” said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. “We dominated the game and created many chances. We are looking forward to the final now.”

Barcelona will face the winner of the Real Madrid vs. Valencia match in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with Barcelona seeking to claim their 15th Spanish Super Cup title.

For Athletic Club, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their Spanish Super Cup campaign. Despite a spirited performance, the Basque side was unable to overcome the dominance of Barcelona.

“We are sad about the result, but we are proud of our performance,” said Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde. “We will learn from this experience and move forward.”

The Spanish Super Cup final is set to take place on Sunday, with Barcelona seeking to claim the title against either Real Madrid or Valencia.