Barcelona delivered a statement performance in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night, cruising into the Spanish Super Cup final with an emphatic 5–0 victory over Athletic Club in Jeddah, led by a brilliant brace from Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger was the standout figure as Hansi Flick’s side overwhelmed Athletic at King Abdullah Sports City, continuing their impressive run of form and extending their winning streak to nine matches across all competitions.
Barcelona, the defending champions and record 15-time winners of the competition, will now face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s final.
Flick’s bold choices pay off
Flick raised eyebrows before kickoff by leaving teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the bench, but his team showed no signs of hesitation. From the early exchanges, Barcelona gradually imposed their rhythm and began to suffocate Athletic with sustained pressure and sharp movement in midfield.
“We make the game easy or difficult ourselves,” Raphinha said after the match. “When we defend well and attack well, everything becomes easier.”
First-half blitz decides the contest
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Ferran Torres capitalized on a loose ball inside the box after Fermín López’s initial effort was mishit, bundling it over the line to open the scoring.
That goal triggered a devastating spell. Just eight minutes later, Raphinha cut the ball back perfectly for López, who smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to double Barcelona’s lead.
Four minutes after that, Swedish winger Roony Bardghji added a third, his low shot slipping under Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón’s body in a moment the Bilbao side will want to forget.
Barcelona were relentless. In the 38th minute, Raphinha danced into the box and fired a powerful shot into the near corner to make it 4–0 before halftime.
Athletic’s only real response in the first half came when Oihan Sancet struck the post, but it was a rare moment of hope on a night dominated by the Catalans.
Raphinha seals it after the break
Any lingering doubts were erased early in the second half. Seven minutes after the restart, Raphinha pounced on a loose ball inside the area and finished clinically from close range to complete his brace and make it 5–0.
“I’m always trying to reach my best level,” the Brazilian said. “I’ll never say I’m at my best. I want this season to be as close to perfect as possible, for the good of the team.”
With the result beyond doubt, Barcelona controlled possession and tempo, limiting Athletic to long-range efforts and half-chances. Goalkeeper Joan García was rarely troubled but did well to deny Mikel Jauregizar late on.
Flick praises mentality shift
After the match, Flick highlighted his team’s response following a less convincing recent performance.
“Against Espanyol we didn’t play so well, but today the mentality and attitude were totally different,” the German coach said. “How we played as a team, in defense and in attack — that’s what I want to see.”
Athletic left to apologize
Athletic captain Iñaki Williams did not hide his disappointment.
“We have to apologize to the fans who came here,” he said. “We were not at the level today. There’s nothing else to say.”
Eyes on the final
Barcelona now await the winner of the second semifinal between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, confident and full of momentum as they chase the first trophy of the year.
If this performance is any indication, Flick’s side are not just aiming to win the Super Cup — they are sending an early warning to the rest of Spanish football.
