JAKARTA - The defending champion Barcelona performed optimally to destroy Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semi-final match of the Spanish Super Cup or Supercopa de Espana at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Thursday, January 8, 2026 WIB. Barca also advanced to the final against Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
Barca appeared with a different composition of players. Striker Robert Lewandowski, who is no longer the first choice, returned to the bench. Even Lewandowski was not played at all because coach Hansi Flick chose to rely on Ferran Torres who also contributed a goal in the match.
Young star Lamine Yamal also started the match by sitting on the bench. Likewise, Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo who were with Yamal were only brought down in the second half.
Despite rotating players, Barca who holds the record for most champions in the Spanish Super Cup because they have won 15 times this time appears dominant. The offensive performance displayed by Flick's team makes them completely dominate the match and even win big to advance to the final.
The forward, who scored a brace in the match, showed his satisfaction. According to him, the team played very well in both defense and attack.
"It all depends on us whether the match can go easily or hard. When we play very well and do everything well, the match is certainly easier. That is, we attack and defend very well," Raphina said as quoted by france24.
Furthermore, the Brazilian national team player who has just recovered from a hamstring injury that had to sit out for two months, said, "I always try to play at the best level. I never want to say that I'm in the best condition."
Meanwhile, Athletic captain Inaki Williams apologized to fans for the heavy defeat in the Spanish Super Cup. He admitted that the team was not at its best level so that it failed to match Barca.
"We apologize to the fans who have come here [Saudi Arabia]. We were not at our best in this game. There is nothing more to say except that we have to apologize," said Williams.
Barcelona Thunders and Dominates
In the match, Barca, who is currently leading the Spanish LaLiga standings, immediately hit and showed dominance over their opponents. However, the Blaugrana had to wait until the 22nd minute to overcome the deadlock after Torres broke into the Athletic goal. He completed an assist from Fermin Lopez which gave Barca a 1-0 lead.
The goal immediately raised the adrenaline of the Barca players. They forced Ernesto Valverde's team to defend more. However, Unai Simon's goal was still conceded after the Athletic back line failed to stop Barca's attack. This time, Lopez increased Barca's lead after greeting Raphinha's pass in the 30th minute.
2-0 ahead, Barca played more attractively. They pressed Athletic's defense and just four minutes later, Barca added a goal. Swedish winger Roony Bardghji, who got the chance to start, also contributed a goal due to goalkeeper Simon misjudging the ball.
His effort to hold the ball under Bardghji's kick hit Simon's own body, which made the ball slide into the goal. The goal immediately killed Athletic's power. After falling behind 3-0, they were hard to catch up with the goal deficit.
Moreover, just two minutes later, Raphinha added another goal. Bardghji also made an assist so that Raphinha managed to finish it with a shot to the top corner of the goal and changed the score to 4-0.
The score held until the first half ended even though Athletic had the opportunity to narrow the gap. However, Oihan Santet's kick still hit the goalpost and this was the only good opportunity for Zuri-Gorriak (the red and white, the typical color of Athletic's jersey).
Entering the second half, Barca did not slow down the game. They didn't take long to consolidate the lead. The match was only seven minutes in, Raphinha scored his second goal.
The score turned to 5-0 for Barca. There was no resistance at all from Athletic throughout the second half. Flick then included Yamal, Rashford and Olmo. Only no goals from them so that the five-goal score without a reply lasted until the final whistle blew.
The big win took Barca to the final to face Madrid or Atletico Madrid. The duel between the two capital teams will be presented on Friday, January 9, 2026, early morning WIB.
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