Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona powered into the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 5-0 semi-final victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night in Saudi Arabia.
The holders and record 15-time champions will now face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who contest the second semi-final on Thursday, in Sunday’s final.
Despite leaving teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the bench, Barcelona were in complete control at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, extending their winning run to nine consecutive matches across all competitions.
Athletic Bilbao, struggling through a difficult season, were overwhelmed by the La Liga leaders, who looked sharp, ruthless and relentless throughout the contest.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Ferran Torres bundled the ball home after Fermin Lopez’s mis-hit shot fell kindly to him inside the box.
The Catalans then blew the game open with three goals in an eight-minute spell. Raphinha teed up Lopez for a stunning finish into the top corner to make it 2-0, before Roony Bardghji benefited from a goalkeeping error as Athletic keeper Unai Simon fumbled his low shot into the net.
Raphinha struck again before half-time, rifling a powerful effort into the top-left corner to give Barcelona a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
Athletic’s best chance came through Oihan Sancet, who rattled the post, but it proved a rare moment of threat on a frustrating night for the Basque side, winners of the competition in 2021.
Raphinha completed his brace shortly after the restart, finishing clinically from close range to cap a comprehensive display and seal Barcelona’s place in the final.
The emphatic victory continues an impressive run under Hansi Flick, who lifted the Spanish Super Cup last season before going on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and will be hoping the competition once again serves as a springboard for further success.
