Xavi Hernández said one would be enough, but in the end it was two. A goal scored by Robert Lewandowski and a goal scored by Lamine Yamal in the 92nd minute gave Barcelona the longest streak in its history by scoring more than one goal for the first time in 21 matches and reached the final of the Spanish Super Cup. There, on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid awaits, just like last year. “It’s been a long time, that’s true, but it doesn’t matter: it was about winning,” midfielder Frenkie de Jong said when it was finally over.
Meanwhile, their rivals Osasuna return to Spain. For most this may have been a minor competition, but for a club without a trophy it was a big deal, even though they would have preferred to fight for it in their homeland. They have a 5,000 km journey ahead of them; They have just enough time to lament a lost opportunity. Or, they felt, David García was complaining about what he called Andreas Christensen’s “blatant foul” on José Arnaiz in the build-up to Lewandowski’s opening goal, even though replays showed there was little there. “We deserved more, but that didn’t happen,” Garcia said.
Relating to: Real Madrid advanced to the final of the Spanish Super Cup by beating Atletico 5-3 in Saudi Arabia.
For Barcelona, there was a cautious satisfaction in celebrating. The margin of victory may not seem that significant and Xavi insisted that a win was a win, especially in the semi-final, but that run became emblematic of their fight despite how little convincing they had. This wasn’t great, but it was a little better. De Jong said it was a “serious” demonstration and that it was progress. There is also optimism about the return from injury of Pedri, who the coach said “brought clarity to our game”.
Xavi said it wasn’t easy, especially in the beginning. The second half was better but it still took until extra time as Osasuna pressed for the equalizer and the second goal came and the victory was guaranteed.
Barcelona had close to 70% possession in the first half, but when they did control the ball, the ball bounced from one side to the other as they struggled to find a way through the five-man line. The gaps where Xavi was waiting refused to appear and once they appeared to be running into space Raphinha was brought down by Alejandro Catena.
Christensen’s volley was saved from the free kick where İlkay Gündoğan tried to catch Sergio Herrera and Ferran Torres cleared the ball. There was also a rude attempt from Sergi Roberto. But these were half-chances and better opportunities fell to Lewandowski. Once upon a time that might have been a guarantee, but he has looked fallible of late, having conceded just one goal in his last six league games, and it would take until the second half to create the decisive moment of the night.
The Pole, played on by Roberto, was unable to deflect the shot beyond the goalkeeper’s hand and directed his header wide when he outpaced everyone on the edge of the six-yard area. Yamal’s clever pass found him just before half-time but García moved in to silence him.
Osasuna contained but occasionally threatened as Arnaiz’s shot flew from distance and Jesús Areso’s deflected effort sailed past the post. Iñaki Peña had to move quickly, his strong left arm blocking the Osasuna striker as Ante Budimir took a sharp turn and the ball slid between Ronald Araújo’s legs. The goalkeeper then cleared Rubén Peña’s free kick. Budimir also scored on Arnaiz, setting up the shot perfectly; this time it was Araújo who stood in his way.
The next chance came just before the hour mark and this time the real Lewandowski stood up. Collecting Gündoğan’s clever pass, the player stopped his opponent and shot a clean and hidden shot into the corner from near the post. There was some sense of righteousness in his celebration, on his knees, with his arms outstretched. There was blame in Osasuna’s reaction, calling for a foul that even Xavi said would “explode live” but never once watched.
This season Barcelona often conceded the first goal and had to come from behind; Now they had the goal they wanted and, in theory, the game they wanted. João Félix and Pedri arrived to consolidate this. The first produced the kind of control that reminded everyone how much they missed him, and the second drew a sharp save from Herrera soon after.
This was not a comfortable situation: Osasuna was not giving up. Budimir was denied by Peña and subsequently failed to form a proper combination with Raúl García in the area. Christensen, who was excellent throughout, was forced to cut out Kike Barja’s cross as he looked for Budimir and Jon Moncayola’s volley was blocked. A great move by Aimar Oroz and Rubén García angered Raúl García but his shot flew high. Xavi looked at the scoreboard anxiously.
There were 3 minutes left in the match and the difference was still 1. But that changed for the first time since September when Félix found Yamal side-footed in Barcelona’s final as Osasuna threw everything at them.