RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 11: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Super Copa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna at Al-Awwal Park on January 11, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
FC Barcelona will meet Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final after defeating Osasuna 2-0 in the semi-finals on Thursday night.
Spanish Super Cup
Result: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
Date: 11 January 2024
Venue: Camp Nou
Coach Xavi Hernandez made four changes from Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win last weekend, as Alejandro Balde, Sergi Roberto, Illkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski returned to the side.
The first few minutes of the first half proved to be a lively affair, with Ferran Torres going close for the Catalans while Jules Kounde produced a vital clearance to deny Ante Budimir.
Lewandowski has faced some criticism in recent months but he was let down by his finishing on two occasions, which included sending a header wide of the upright from six yards out at the midway point.
Xavi, however, was forced to re-shuffle the pack just before the halftime break as Raphinha was unable to continue after picking up an injury and was replaced by teenager Lamine Yamal.
The league champions came out firing in the second half and got their reward just before the hour mark as Lewandowski made amends for his earlier miss with a composed finish after being played in by Gundogan.
Xavi made two changes after going ahead as Pedri made his return to action in place of Roberto and Joao Felix replaced Torres, while Osasuna responded with changes of their own as Raul Garcia and Jon Moncayola were introduced.
Osasuna did go close to pulling themselves level with 12 minutes left on the clock as the lively Budimir skipped past Balde before unleashing a low shot that forced Inaki Pena into a low save.
Barcelona were able to see out the latter stages of the second half and managed to bag a second goal as Yamal added his name to score-sheet with a composed finish from close range.
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