Gavi and Yamal Shine as Barcelona Advances to Spanish Super Cup Final
FC Barcelona showcased their young talent as Gavi and Lamine Yamal led the team to a decisive 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao, securing a spot in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The match, held on Wednesday, marked a significant achievement for the Catalan side, especially as they were without key playmaker Dani Olmo, whose playing license was unexpectedly revoked.
Olmo had been cleared for temporary play prior to the match, but the late decision meant neither he nor Pau Victor could contribute against the Copa del Rey champions. Despite the absence of seasoned players, Barcelona’s youth stepped up to fill the void.
The game started energetically for Barcelona, with Raphinha nearly striking first as he volleyed over from a brilliant cross by Jules Kounde. He later tested Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon with a well-placed free-kick, but the breakthrough came in the 17th minute. Alejandro Balde made a clever cutback to Gavi, who was filling Olmo’s role in the attacking midfield. The 20-year-old found the back of the net with a close-range finish, celebrating by pointing at his wrist—a tribute to Olmo’s signature celebration.
Athletic Bilbao struggled to mount a response, with Inaki Williams missing a crucial opportunity after hesitating on the ball during their best attacking move of the first half. Although Yamal, the 17-year-old winger, missed a chance to double the lead shortly after Gavi’s opener, he showcased his potential by remaining a constant threat.
Barcelona’s defense, spearheaded by Wojciech Szczesny—making just his second start in goal—held firm, with the Polish goalkeeper denying Inaki Williams just before halftime.
The second half saw Barcelona quickly extend their lead. Gavi turned provider this time, slipping a pass to Yamal, who displayed remarkable composure to finish with precision. After the goal, Yamal expressed the team’s determination, stating, “Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot. We suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well, and we’re very happy.”
Despite Barcelona’s dominance, veteran forward Robert Lewandowski wasted an opportunity to add a third goal, firing wide when well-placed. Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who had previously led Barcelona before his sacking in 2020, introduced Nico Williams in an attempt to change the game’s momentum. The young winger, linked with a summer transfer to Barcelona, made an immediate impact, setting up Oscar de Marcos for what seemed to be a goal. However, the effort was ruled out for offside.
Athletic’s frustrations continued as Inaki Williams also had a goal disallowed due to a slight offside, leaving the team searching for answers against a resolute Barcelona defense.
As the match concluded, Barcelona secured their place in the final, eagerly awaiting their opponent, which will be determined after Real Madrid faces Mallorca in the second semifinal. Dani Olmo will be eligible to play in the final, adding another layer of excitement for the Catalan club.
With the young stars stepping into the spotlight, Barcelona demonstrated their depth and resilience, ready to chase glory in the upcoming final.
