FC Barcelona initially struggled in the semi-final of the Spanish Supercopa against CA Osasuna, but after around an hour Lewandowski scored the redemptive opening goal.
One day after the spectacle between Real and Atletico Madrid (5:3 n.V), the reigning champions from Barcelona and last year’s cup finalists CA Osasuna were challenged in the second semi-final of the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia. Neither team had covered themselves in glory in the Copa del Rey recently. While Barça struggled to a 3-2 win against fourth-division side UD Barbastro, Osasuna even had to play extra time against third-division side CD Castellon, in which José Arnaiz scored the winning goal to make it 1-0.
For the Catalans, Xavi brought in Balde, Gündogan, Sergi Roberto and Lewandowski for Fort, Fermin, Oriol Romeu and Joao Felix. Jagoba Arrasate, meanwhile, rotated in nine positions, with only David Garcia and Juan Cruz remaining in the first eleven for the northern Spaniards.
Turbulent opening phase
The game got off to a lively start with chances for both sides: Christensen (6th), Ferran Torres (8th) and Lewandowski (13th) missed good opportunities to give Barça an early lead. At the other end, Koundé saved from Budimir (7′) and then Areso’s shot bounced just wide of the post (9′).
As time went on, the game calmed down a little. Barcelona had clear advantages in terms of possession, but struggled to find the gaps in the deep Osasuna defense. The next good chance came from a set-piece, but Lewandowski headed just wide (31′).
Osasuna, meanwhile, were on the lookout for quick counter-attacks and found a little more courage shortly before the break. After a fine counter-attack, Budimir got past Araujo in the penalty area but failed to beat ter-Stegen deputy Inaki Pena (39′).
Lewandowski scores to take the lead
In the second half, little changed at first. Barça dominated the game, but hardly found any gaps, partly because Osasuna repeatedly took the flow out of the game with fouls. However, after just under an hour, Lewandowski broke the deadlock. Gündogan played a pinpoint pass to the Pole, who converted with ice-cold precision from 15 meters (59′). In the build-up, Christensen had won the ball in midfield robustly but without committing a foul against José Arnaiz.
Osasuna now had to become more active, but struggled to switch gears – and had goalkeeper Herrera to thank for the fact that the score did not quickly go 2-0 down. The keeper stretched himself to save a shot from Joao Felix for a corner (68′).
Budimir in particular created one or two promising scenes for the Rojillos, but Inaki Pena was no longer really in danger. On 78 minutes, Barcelona’s goalkeeper saved the Croatian’s best shot, and a little later Araujo prevented the Osasuna striker from finishing (80′). Substitute Raul also failed to equalize with a volley (88′).
Lamine Yamal makes it all clear
Instead, Barça created space – and Joao Felix knew how to exploit it in stoppage time. The Portuguese dribbled through down the left, missed Moncayola with a leg kick and found Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old scored his second professional goal from 14 meters and made it 2:0
FC Barcelona continue their campaign on Sunday with the final against Real Madrid. Osasuna, meanwhile, travel back to Spain to host Real Sociedad in the cup round of 16 on Wednesday.