Barcelona's Super Cup Redemption: Lewandowski And Yamal Secure Semifinal Success

Xavi Hernández had initially suggested that one goal would suffice, but in the end, it turned out to be two. Barcelona secured a victory with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal in the 92nd minute, marking the first time in 21 matches, the longest streak in their history, that they won by a margin greater than one goal. This triumph propels them to the final of the Spanish Super Cup, where they will face Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, just as they did last year.

Reflecting on the match, midfielder Frenkie de Jong acknowledged the prolonged struggle for a decisive victory but emphasized the importance of winning. Meanwhile, their opponents, Osasuna, head back to Spain after a significant journey, feeling that an opportunity for a trophy was lost or, as they perceived it, taken away due to what they considered a “clear foul” from Andreas Christensen on José Arnaiz in the build-up to Lewandowski’s opening goal.

For Barcelona, there was a tempered sense of satisfaction along with the celebration. Although the margin of victory may not appear overwhelming, Xavi stressed the significance of any win, particularly in a semi-final. The match may not have been dazzling, but it represented a slight improvement. De Jong described it as a “serious” display, indicating progress. Additionally, there is optimism with Pedri’s return from injury, with the coach noting that he “brings clarity to our play.”

Despite the challenging first half, Barcelona’s possession dominance did not translate into clear chances. Lewandowski, who has faced recent scoring challenges, finally made his mark in the second half with a decisive goal. Osasuna had moments of threat, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Iñaki Peña, made crucial saves. The introduction of substitutes João Félix and Pedri added flair to Barcelona’s play, with Yamal securing the victory in the dying minutes.

In the end, Barcelona overcame their struggles to secure a place in the Spanish Super Cup final, offering a glimmer of hope and a break from their recent pattern of conceding the first goal.