It’s always the same story for FC Barcelona. Los Blaugranas always find a way to win regardless of the opponent and the circusntances. It was not any different during the 2018 Spanish Super Cup.
Ernesto Valverde’s men faced Sevilla in a one-leg trophy on Morocco, quite a change considering the Super Cup used to be played over two legs before the start of the season. But it didn’t matter much, and the Blaugrana side came out as winners thanks to a huge 2-1 win. Goals from Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele lifted Barca to a big win on African soil, but it wasn’t easy.
A strong start for Sevilla faded away quickly
In fact, Sevilla were on top before the 10-minute mark thanks to Pablo Sarabia. The talented attacking midfielder took advantage of an impressive play from Luis Muriel to place the ball out of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s reach with the inside of his left foot. Muriel left two players behind and dropped it to Sarabia, who coolly finished the sequence even though Barca players believed he was offside.
Los Blaugranas bounced back, though, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez each side clear scoring chances during the first half, but it would be a defender who would equalise. After another free kick from Messi, who looked lively and active in the final meters, the ball bounced off and Gerard Pique found the back of the net. It was the centre-back’s 40th goal with Los Blaugranas, and it could not have come at a better time. The first half ended shortly after with a 1-1 draw. Barca, however, had the momentum on their side.
Dembele seals the deal for Los Blaugranas
Things did not change much after the break as both sides continued to play with an attacking approach. Franco Vazquez had two scoring chances for Sevilla, but the crossbar and his lack of accuracy, respectively, denied him. Barca answered quickly, and both Dembele and Messi tested Tomas Vaclik’s hands. And the Frenchman would end up playing a key role in the final result when he scored the game-winning goal with a thunderous strike from outside the box. The former Dortmund star received a pass from Messi and since he found himself with acres of space, he blasted the ball into the top corner out of Vaclik’s reach.
You would have thought the game was over, but Sevilla had one final chance to even things up when ter Stegen fouled an opponent inside the box. Wissam Ben Yedder took responsibility for the shot, but the German shot-stopped bounced back from his error and played hero when he saved the attempt on stoppage time. There wouldn’t be time for more football and the referee blew his whistle, giving Barca yet another title to start their season on a strong note.
Without a doubt, it was a deserved win for Barcelona. And a heart-breaking defeat for Sevilla considering all the chances they created.
Match Report
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Rakitic (Rafinha, 46′), Sergio Busquets, Arthur (Coutinho, 53′); Messi, Suarez, Dembele (Vidal, 86′)
Subs not used: Cillessen (GK), Munir, Miranda, Umtiti
Sevilla: Vaclik; Mercado (Ben Yedder, 85′), Kjaer, Gomez Sola; Navas, Mesa, Banega, Escudero; Pablo Sarabia (Aleix Vidal, 71′), Vazquez; Muriel (Andre Silva, 60′)
Subs not used: Soriano (GK), Carrico, Amadou, Nolito
Goals: Sarabia (0-1, 9′), Pique (1-1, 42′), Dembele (2-1, 78′)
Referee: Carlos Del Cerro (SPA)
Yellow cards: Busquets, ter Stegen, Lenglet (BAR); Vazquez, Mesa, Vidal (SEV)
Red cards: None
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
