In a match that transformed from a slow start to a thrilling finish, Barcelona clinched a 2-0 victory over Osasuna in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal. The win sets up a highly anticipated final against arch-rivals Real Madrid, promising a rematch of last year’s final where Barca emerged victorious.
The first half of the game saw Barcelona dominating possession but struggling to make significant inroads against a resilient Osasuna. Barcelona’s attacking prowess, often spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski, met with staunch resistance from Osasuna’s goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.
The deadlock, however, was broken in the 59th minute when Ilkay Gündogan’s through-ball found Lewandowski, who made no mistake from close range. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive La Liga odds from Nextbet.
Osasuna contested the legitimacy of the goal, citing a foul by Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen in the build-up. Despite their protests and a VAR check, the goal stood, much to their dismay. Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate expressed his frustration post-match, stating, “We felt we were wronged, because the refereeing criteria was very different during the whole match.
The foul was clear.” Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez acknowledged the controversy, noting, “Watching live it looked like a foul, to be honest, but the replay shows that there was nothing.”
Following Lewandowski’s opener, Xavi’s strategic move to bring on João Félix paid dividends. The Portuguese forward’s dynamic play forced Herrera into action with several crucial saves. It was Felix who then set up Lamine Yamal for the second goal, a low blast that cemented Barcelona’s win and their spot in the final against Real Madrid.
Looking ahead to the El Clasico final, Xavi remarked, “You don’t play finals, you win them. We want to compete against an opponent who I saw very well in the other semifinal. However, there are no favourites, it’s an El Clasico. Hopefully, the final will go our way like last year. We are the reigning champions and at least we will enjoy it.”
The upcoming clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Supercopa final is not just a battle for the trophy, but a continuation of one of football’s greatest rivalries. With both teams in fine form and the memory of last year’s final fresh in their minds, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable match. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
