Barcelona secured their place in the Supercopa de España final with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Athletic Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The semi-final clash showcased the Catalan side’s determination, tactical discipline, and the rising stardom of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, alongside a game-changing performance by Dani Olmo.
The match kicked off with Barcelona asserting dominance in possession, a hallmark of their play under Xavi Hernández. As noted by Marca, the team’s midfield trio of Pedri, Gavi, and Olmo orchestrated the game, keeping Athletic Club pinned back in their half for much of the first half-hour. Barcelona’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Dani Olmo delivered a sublime cross to Lamine Yamal, who calmly finished past Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón. The teenager’s composure under pressure was remarkable and further solidified his growing reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
Athletic Club, known for their resilience and counter-attacking style, regrouped and came out strong in the second half. As reported by Barron’s, the Basque side found their equalizer in the 62nd minute when Iñaki Williams capitalized on a defensive lapse by Barcelona. Williams’ strike, a ferocious shot into the top corner, stunned the Barcelona defense and briefly shifted momentum in Athletic’s favor.
The match’s defining moment came in the 75th minute. After Gavi was fouled in the penalty box by Yeray Álvarez, the referee pointed to the spot. Dani Olmo stepped up to take the penalty and delivered a flawless strike to restore Barcelona’s lead. Olmo’s cool demeanor under immense pressure demonstrated his value to the team in critical moments.
The final quarter of the game saw Athletic Club throwing everything forward in search of another equalizer. As detailed by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s defense, marshaled by Ronald Araújo and Marc-André ter Stegen, stood firm. Ter Stegen’s late save to deny Alex Berenguer proved vital in securing the win for Barcelona.
Post-match, head coach Xavi Hernández expressed pride in his team’s performance. “This was a game of fine margins, and we showed great character to come out on top,” Xavi said. He also heaped praise on Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, calling them “the pillars of this victory.”
The victory sets up a tantalizing final for Barcelona, where they will face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid. Fans are particularly excited about the possibility of an El Clásico showdown, which would add another chapter to the storied rivalry between Spain’s two football giants.
For Athletic Club, the loss marks the end of their Supercopa campaign, but their spirited performance against one of Europe’s best sides earned widespread admiration. Manager Ernesto Valverde reflected on the positives, stating, “We matched Barcelona for long periods and showed we can compete at the highest level.”
As Barcelona prepares for the final, all eyes will be on key players like Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal. Their blend of experience and youthful exuberance has been instrumental in the team’s success so far, and they will be crucial in their bid to lift the Supercopa trophy.