Athletic Bilbao will take on Barcelona in the semifinal of Spain’s Supercopa competition, held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bilbao currently sit fourth in La Liga, having secured 10 victories and suffered three defeats across their 19 matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, occupy third place, two points ahead of Bilbao with 12 wins and five losses. They are trailing the league leaders and reigning champions, Real Madrid, by five points.
In the other semifinal, Real Madrid will square off against Mallorca on Thursday, with the final also set to take place in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
In the Supercopa de España semifinal held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, FC Barcelona secured a 1-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao at halftime. The match commenced with both teams displaying a balanced approach, but it was Barcelona who broke the deadlock. In the 40th minute, Gavi capitalized on a precise pass from Alejandro Balde, slotting the ball past Athletic’s goalkeeper to give Barcelona the advantage.
Despite the goal, Athletic Bilbao remained resilient, creating several opportunities to equalize. Raphinha had two clear chances to extend Barcelona’s lead but was unable to convert. Athletic’s defense, led by Iñigo Martínez and Yeray Álvarez, kept the scoreline narrow, allowing them to stay within striking distance.
As the second half unfolded, both teams intensified their efforts. Athletic’s Iñaki Williams posed a constant threat with his pace and skill, while Barcelona’s defense, marshaled by Gerard Piqué and Jordi Alba, stood firm. The midfield battle was equally compelling, with Dani García and Unai Vencedor for Athletic, and Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets for Barcelona, controlling the tempo of the game.
The match remained 1-0 in favor of Barcelona as it progressed into the final stages. Athletic Bilbao pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Barcelona’s defense held strong, and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny made crucial saves to maintain the lead.
In the end, Barcelona’s first-half goal proved decisive, and they emerged victorious over Athletic Bilbao, securing their place in the Supercopa de España final. The match showcased tactical discipline and individual brilliance, particularly from Gavi, whose goal was the difference between the two sides.
