Barcelona secured their spot in the Supercopa de España final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Athletic Club. The semi-final clash, held at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw the Catalan side overcome a resilient Athletic Club team, with standout performances from Dani Olmo and young sensation Lamine Yamal.
The game began with Barcelona asserting dominance, controlling possession and creating early chances. Dani Olmo, who was cleared to play following a last-minute court ruling, wasted no time making an impact. According to Marca, Olmo’s precision and creativity were on full display as he delivered a perfectly timed cross to Lamine Yamal in the 27th minute. Yamal, just 16 years old, showcased remarkable composure, slotting the ball past Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead.
Athletic Club, known for their physical and counter-attacking style, fought back in the second half. In the 62nd minute, Iñaki Williams seized a defensive lapse by Barcelona, equalizing with a powerful strike into the top corner. The goal injected life into the Basque side, who began to press higher and test Barcelona’s defense.
However, Barcelona regained the lead in the 75th minute when Gavi was brought down in the penalty area by Athletic defender Yeray Álvarez. As reported by Barron’s, Dani Olmo stepped up to take the penalty and coolly converted, sending Simón the wrong way. The goal proved to be the decisive moment, as Barcelona held on to their slim advantage despite a late surge from Athletic.
Athletic Club pushed for another equalizer in the dying moments, but Barcelona’s defense, led by Ronald Araújo and Marc-André ter Stegen, remained resolute. Ter Stegen made a crucial save in the final minutes to deny Alex Berenguer, ensuring Barcelona’s progression to the final.
The match also highlighted the brilliance of Lamine Yamal, whose goal and overall performance drew widespread praise. As noted by Mundo Deportivo, the young forward’s ability to handle high-pressure situations at such a tender age underscores his potential to become a future star for Barcelona.
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández lauded his team’s performance and praised Olmo and Yamal for their decisive contributions. “This victory is a testament to our team’s unity and determination,” Xavi said in his post-match comments. “It was not an easy game, but the players showed character when it mattered most.”
The Catalan side will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, setting the stage for an exciting final. Fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of an El Clásico showdown in the final, which could see Barcelona lift the Supercopa trophy for the first time under Xavi’s leadership.
For Athletic Club, the defeat marks the end of their Supercopa journey, but their spirited performance against one of Europe’s elite teams is a testament to their progress. Manager Ernesto Valverde expressed pride in his squad, saying, “We pushed Barcelona to their limits, and that shows how much we’ve grown as a team.”
As the final approaches, Barcelona will look to build on this victory and continue their pursuit of silverware. With Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal in scintillating form, the Catalans have every reason to believe they can emerge victorious.