Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona advanced to the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 5-0 semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.
The holders and record 15-time champions will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who meet on Thursday, in Sunday’s final.
Hansi Flick started with teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench, but his team still cruised to a comfortable victory at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
La Liga leaders Barcelona have now won nine consecutive matches across all competitions, while Athletic, enduring a difficult season, were thoroughly outplayed.
Last season, Barcelona went on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey after Flick’s side claimed the Spanish Super Cup, the first trophy of the German coach’s reign. Flick had said he wanted to use the competition as a springboard for further success.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring after 22 minutes, benefiting from a stroke of fortune when Fermin Lopez’s mishit shot fell kindly for him.
Barcelona extended their lead with a more impressive second goal, as Raphinha cut the ball back for Lopez to blast into the top corner, the first of three goals in eight minutes.
Swedish winger Roony Bardghji added the third after Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon mishandled a low shot, allowing the ball to slip under his body and into the net.
The error gives Spain coach Luis de la Fuente food for thought, as Simon is his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the World Cup, while Barcelona stopper Joan Garcia is pushing for selection.
Raphinha struck Barcelona’s fourth goal in the 38th minute with a fierce shot into the top left corner, as the Catalans continued to attack relentlessly.
Athletic’s best opportunity came when Oihan Sancet hit the post, but it was a miserable night for the Basque side, who last won the competition in 2021.
The Brazil international Raphinha completed his brace shortly after the break with a precise finish from close range, sealing Barcelona’s emphatic victory.
