Raphinha Runs the Show as Barcelona Cruise into Spanish Super Cup Final

Barça blitz Athletic Club in ruthless semifinal display

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona stormed into the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 5-0 victory over Athletic Club in Saudi Arabia. After a lively opening from Bilbao, Barça seized control and blew the game apart with four goals in a devastating 16-minute spell before half-time.

Ferran Torres, Fermín López, Roony Bardghji and Raphinha all found the net as Hansi Flick’s side turned the semifinal into a procession. Raphinha added his second shortly after the restart to cap a commanding individual performance.

Early threat from Bilbao, then total Barça control

Athletic Club showed early intent, with Aitor Paredes’ header deflecting off Eric García and Adama Boiro causing concern with a dangerous cross that Joan García claimed.

Barcelona gradually grew into the contest. Raphinha dragged Unai Simón out of position with a driving run, while Pedri and López both tested the Bilbao goalkeeper as Barça began to dictate the tempo.

Four goals in 16 minutes decide the game

The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when Ferran Torres followed up Fermín López’s initial effort to bundle the ball home. Eight minutes later, Raphinha cut the ball back perfectly for López, who smashed a powerful finish into the net.

Bilbao barely had time to breathe before Bardghji made it 3-0, cutting inside from the right and squeezing a low shot under Simón’s arm. Then came the killer blow on 38 minutes, as Raphinha danced into the box and rifled into the near corner to complete a devastating first half.

Raphinha completes the rout

Any lingering hopes of a Bilbao response were extinguished early in the second half. Seven minutes after the restart, Raphinha pounced on a loose ball inside the box and hammered home his second of the night.

Oihan Sancet hit the post just before the break and Unai Gómez fired wide late on, but those moments were rare for Athletic as Barcelona controlled proceedings with ease.

Flick praises mentality as final awaits

Barça saw out the match comfortably, with Joan García denying Mikel Jauregizar from range and substitutes keeping control in the closing stages.

Raphinha summed it up afterwards, saying the game only looked easy because of Barcelona’s level, while Flick praised the team’s mentality and response after recent criticism. Barcelona will now face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in the final.