Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona AET (2-4p): Barca claim shootout win to set up El Clasico Supercopa final against Real Madrid
ByTNT Sports
Updated 12/01/2023 at 22:04 GMT
Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the Supercopa final after beating Betis on penalties. Robert Lewandowski gave Barca the lead before Nabil Fekir leveled to send the game to extra time. Ansu Fati put Barca back in front but Loren Moron’s equaliser sent the game to penalties where Betis missed two spot-kicks to send Barca through.
Barcelona's Spanish forward Ansu Fati (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 12
Image credit: Getty Images
Pedri scored the winning penalty as Barcelona won a 4-2 shootout after a 2-2 draw with Real Betis in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
Both clubs were in Saudi Arabia for the tournament for a brief break in the La Liga season quickly after the return from the Qatar World Cup.
Robert Lewandowski was leading the line despite a domestic suspension and Barcelona had one goal disallowed before the Pole put the Catalans ahead five minutes from the end of the first half.
In the second half, Ousmane Dembele showboated early to betray the confidence of Xavi Hernandez’s men, but they paid for their profligacy when Nabil Fekir popped up to drill home with his fifth goal of the season, and then Lewandowski had what looked to be a winner chalked off, again for offside.
The game at the King Fahd International Stadium then went to extra time where an early, brilliant strike from Ansu Fati looked to be the winner before Loren Moron’s piece of magic levelled, and Andres Guardado saw red for two yellows minutes before the end.
Pedri was there for the winning penalty after Juanmi and then William Carvalho missed for Betis.
Barcelona will now play in the final on Sunday against Real Madrid, who beat Valencia on penalties in their semi-final match-up.
Player ratings
Real Betis: Bravo 6, Aitor Ruibal 6, Pezzella 6, Luiz Felipe 6, Miranda 6, G. Rodriguez 6, Canales 6, Luiz Henrique 7, Rodri 6, Fekir 7, Iglesias 6. Subs: Carvalho 6, Willian Jose 6, Guardado 4, Juanmi 5, Sabaly 6.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Araujo 6, Dembele 7, Pedri 6, Jordi Alba 6, Sergi Roberto 6, De Jong 6, Raphinha 6, Kounde 6, Gavi 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Torres 6, Busquets 6, Alonso 6, Fati 6, Christensen 6, Kessie 6.
Player of the match - Luiz Henrique (Real Betis)
Robert Lewandowski is probably the most consistent and talented player on the pitch in most games, and he was again a threat on Thursday night, but it was Betis’ forward who caused the most problems.
He was at the heart of most of Manuel Pellegrini’s side’s attacks, and at just 22 will surely be attracting attention from bigger clubs if he keeps this up.
Key moments
24’ - GOAL! BETIS 0-1 BARCELONA - PEDRI SCORES - Raphinha clips in a cross from the right with his left foot, and Pedri slides in and bundles it home, but NO! VAR OVERTURNS THE GOAL
40’ - GOAL! REAL BETIS 0-1 BARCELONA - LEWANDOWSKI SCORES - Barcelona counter with a long ball over the top to Dembele, he slides the ball to the striker, his first effort is blocked and he sidefoots home past the 'keeper.
77’ - GOAL! BETIS 1-1 BARCELONA - FEKIR SCORES - Henrique dances in the box, makes space, plays in Fekir, and he drills in a low equaliser for the fifth of the season for him.
81’- GOAL! REAL BETIS 1-2 BARCELONA - LEWANDOWSKI SCORES - That might be it - though there's a check for VAR on a possible VAR. The ball is played to offside on the left, he finds Lewandowski, and he thunders it home. VAR SAYS NO GOAL
93’- GOAL! BETIS 1-2 BARCELONA - FATI SCORES - Is that the winner? A free kick is headed up and away, but Fati latches onto the dropping ball with a clean volley, rifled past Bravo.
GOAL! REAL BETIS 2-2 BARCELONA - MORON SCORES - Henrique crosses into the near post with a rifled effort. Moron delightfully brings it down off his thigh, before bouncing the ball into the ground with his heel and past Ter Stegen.
Key stat
Sergio Busquets played his 700th Barcelona game.
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