Football
Barcelona imitated Real and advanced on penalties. In the Super Cup final, we will see the famous El Clásico. Watch the highlights of the dramatic duel
Like its biggest rival Real Madrid, Barcelona of Catalonia has made it through its semi-final match against Betis in the Spanish Super Cup and the final of the competition will see the famous El Clásico derby. The hero of the match was German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who twice saved two penalty kicks in the penalty shootout.
The match was similar to the second leg between Real and Valencia. Barcelona, as the favourite, kept the ball more often and tried to create interesting chances. Betis, however, were certainly not just defending and biting unpleasantly.
Even before the game, Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini let it be known that the Sevilla club had come to Riyadh to beat Barcelona.
The Blaugranas often tried to centre into the penalty area and look for Robert Lewandowski at the tip of the attack. But it didn’t lead to a major threat to the Betis goal. And the latter could have been the first to take the lead when Nabil Fekir got on the end of a huge mistake by Koundé, but it was all extinguished by the other stopper, Ronald Araújo.
Germán Pezzela then had a huge opportunity to get a header in, but the German goalkeeper Ter Stegen made the save. Betis’ main attacking star, Borja Iglesias, also tried to create promising chances.
But in the end it was Barcelona who took the lead. And it was sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski who came through, benefiting from some fantastic work from Ousmane Dembélé. The first time he was saved by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, but the Polish striker finished with a neat finish from the rebound – 1: 0.
In the second half, Barcelona had much more of the game, Betis wanted to threaten mainly from counter-attacks. And the inability of Xavi’s charges to increase the lead proved decisive when Frenchman Nabil Fekir scored after a fast break in the 77th minute – 1: 1.
Just a few minutes later, Barcelona players celebrated again, but prematurely. Due to an offside by Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski’s second goal was disallowed.
In the ensuing extra time, Barcelona had a goal conceded shortly after it started. The talented Ansu Fati scored from a quick volley – 2: 1.
But Betis did not give up and tied the game. In the 101st minute, Loren Morón finished off the action with a beautiful cross from the green and white – 2:2.
The penalties were already in the hands of Marc-André Ter Stegen. He first dealt with Juanmi’s attempt and then in the next series he also saved the Portuguese Carvalho. Barcelona were thus able to start celebrating their progress to the Spanish Super Cup final.
There they will challenge their biggest rivals, Real Madrid, in the famous El Clásico. The match is scheduled for 15 January at 20:00.
Source: FC Barcelona, Spanish Super Cup
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