JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Rafinha scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated their Basque rivals, scoring four goals in the first half, with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal watching on from the bench.
At Jeddah’s Alinma Stadium, the game started in the 23rd minute when Ferran Torres converted a missed shot from Fermin Lopez.
In the 30th minute, Rafinha’s pass was curled in by Fermin, and four minutes later Rooney Bulge fired a shot under Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Rafinha defeated Simón with a powerful blow in the 38th minute, and the Brazilian forward completed the victory in the 52nd minute.
“We made the game look easy. When we are playing well, the game is easy to play,” Rafinha said. “We are focused on ourselves and ready to play the opponent we won in the other semifinal.”
Rafinha missed six weeks with an injury earlier this season, but since returning in early December, he has played as well as he did last season. his Goals and leadership were important. Until the last season, when Barcelona won La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Yamal came on as a late substitute against Athletic. He will be fresh for Sunday’s final and Thursday’s semi-final against either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid.
Spanish forward Nico Williams remained on Athletic’s bench throughout the match. Williams has been dealing with a groin strain this season.
“This is a tough loss,” Simon said. “When you concede five goals, you can’t point to one player. It means the whole team didn’t play well.”
Barcelona are currently leading La Liga. Athletic are in eighth place and are fighting for a place in Europe.
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