Welcome to the thrilling recap of the Supercopa de Espana semi-final where Barcelona took on Athletic Bilbao at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. It was a match filled with anticipation as both teams came into the game with contrasting forms and high stakes at play.
First Half
Barcelona began the game on a high note, asserting their dominance early with Raphinha coming close to scoring in just the 4th minute with a stunning volley that just flew over the bar. The intensity continued to build, and by the 17th minute, Barcelona found their breakthrough. A seamless team effort saw Pedri, after a dynamic run, pass to Balde whose pinpoint cross found Gavi, who expertly tapped it through the goalkeeper’s legs. This goal was a testament to Barcelona’s sharp and cohesive play.
The rest of the half saw Athletic striving to level the score, with a significant chance coming in the 43rd minute when Inaki Williams nearly equalized with a powerful shot that skimmed the bar. Despite Athletic’s efforts, Barcelona maintained their lead, heading into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Second Half
The second half saw Barcelona continue to press and double their lead in the 52nd minute through a brilliant individual effort from Lamine Yamal. After a fine pass from Gavi, Yamal showcased incredible control and skill to beat his marker and fire home, bringing the score to 2-0. This goal further bolstered Barcelona’s confidence, allowing them to control the game’s pace more assertively.
Athletic Bilbao, known for their resilience, didn’t back down and continued to push for a comeback. Their perseverance seemed to pay off in the 86th minute when Inaki Williams found the net following a defensive mishap from Barcelona. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review due to offside, much to Athletic’s dismay.
Bottom line
The match ended 2-0 in favor of Barcelona, who executed a tactical masterclass to overcome a robust Athletic Bilbao side. This victory not only propels Barcelona into the Supercopa final but also serves as a significant confidence booster after recent inconsistent performances. Athletic Bilbao showed great promise and tactical intelligence, but Barcelona’s quality and execution were simply too much on the night. As Barcelona prepares for the final, they carry forward the momentum and the high spirits from a well-deserved victory in a challenging semi-final matchup.
Discover more from Barça Buzz
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
