- The home team won a match by more than one goal for the first time since September
- On Sunday they will face Real Madrid in the final of the latest edition of El Clasico
- DOMINIC KING: Chelsea will NOT win the League Cup and they cannot spend money again. It’s gross! It’s a money pit there. Listen to why It all starts
Barcelona finally won a match by a margin of more than one goal for the first time since September, reaching Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final, where they will face Real Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski served up a Clasico in Riyadh, scoring the first, before teenager Yamin Lamal added a second in extra time.
Barcelona scored all the early points as Sergio Herrera saved from Lewandowski. He celebrated each block with a fist pump to the fans in Barça shirts behind his goal. On the other hand, Osasuna forced two early turns but failed to test Inaki Pena.
After twenty minutes, Sergio Roberto shot wide from Jules Kounde’s pass, but Barcelona struggled to get past Osasuna’s back five. That back five was almost reduced to a back four when centre-back Alejandro Catena Raphinha charged off the ball as he charged towards goal. Alejandro Muniz Ruiz decided that it was not a clear scoring opportunity and the original yellow card was not upgraded to red.
Osasuna limited themselves to quick counters, but almost scored from one five minutes before half-time. Jesus Areso broke down the right side and crossed to Ante Budimir, who set up Ronald Araujo for the slip in the penalty area and would have scored had Pena not been blocked.
Barcelona won the Super Cup El Clasico final against Real Madrid on Sunday by beating Osasuna 2-0
Robert Lewandowski scored the opening goal of the match, with Barca winning by more than one goal for the first time since September
16-year-old Lamine Yamal (left) came off the bench to score Barcelona’s second goal late on
The Barcelona goalkeeper then had to save from Iker Munoz’s free kick. There is no doubt that Barcelona’s general defensive malaise this season, and the club briefing that Bayern Munich want to pay €100 million for the Uruguayan defender, has affected his form.
Barcelona lost the injured Raphinha just before half-time, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal coming on while Joao Felix remained on the bench, now clearly out of favor with coach Xavi.
When the goal came, it was Lewandowski who scored through Ilkay Gundogan’s pass. Andreas Christensen robbed Jose Arnaiz and as he lay holding the base of his spine complaining of a foul, Gundogan surged forward and passed the ball to Lewandowski who beat Sergio Herrera with a low finish.
There was a VAR check, but despite all that Arnaiz seemed to have some minimal contact, the goal was given.
Joao Felix remained on the bench for Barcelona until the second half, with Lamine preferring to replace the injured Raphinha
Xavi’s side will now have to overcome their biggest rivals in Saudi Arabia to win the Super Cup
Joao Felix and Pedri both came on and Arnaiz left, replaced by Raul Garcia. Felix’s impact was immediate and only a good save from Herrera prevented his shot from doubling Barcelona’s lead.
Osasuna had switched to a back four, but it still felt like Budimir was fighting the fight alone and he tested Pena again after getting away from Kounde.
When Osasuna finally put men forward, Barcelona got their second. Felix made it together with Pedri and Lamine made it two minutes of extra time.
Barcelona were ready and while Madrid won’t tremble at the prospect of playing them, Xavi will know if they can cause an upset that could change the club’s season.