Real Edge Barca In 5-Goal Thriller For Super Cup Final Spot
13 January, 2022
Real Madrid advanced to the Supercopa de Espana final with a 3-2 win over arch-rvials FC Barcelona after extra-time on Wednesday evening.
Spain Super Cup
Result: FC Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid
Date: 12 January 2022
Venue: King Fahd International Stadium
Barca handed a debut to new signing Ferran Torres following his arrival from Manchester City, as Madrid made two changes from their win over Valencia in Nacho Hernandez and Dani Carvajal.
Los Blancos looked for a flying start three minutes in when Karim Benzema curled wide from the edge of the six-yard area off a layoff from Marco Asensio.
Madrid continued to bother the Catalans within nine minutes after Vinicius Junior charged into the area to bring a save off goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from Luka Modric’s through ball.
The Brazilian proved decisive five minutes from the half-hour mark when he took a pin-point pass from Benzema in his stride before beating Ter Stegen with a clever finish. Barcelona didn’t allow the setback to affect them as they went on to draw level four minutes to halftime as a rash clearance from Eder Militao bounced off Luuk De Jong and into the net.
The Blaugrana still opted for a double change at the restart in Abde Ezzalzouli for Torres and Pedri for Frenkie De Jong, as Ousmane Dembele blazed a smart opportunity over minutes in.
Los Blancos weren’t out of danger moments later as Dembele launched another threat through a rasping volley that flew inches wide from a loose ball in the area.
Madrid regained advantage inside the last 15 minutes after Benzema attacked a rebound in the area to turn home minutes after he curled a pass from Vinicius against the post.
Barcelona levelled it up again when Ansu Fati sneaked behind Militao to head a teasing cross from Jordi Alba past Thibaut Courtois in the last seven minutes.
The match went into extra-time following a stalemate during regulation time, but Madrid reclaimed the lead on 98 minutes after Federico Valverde stabbed in a cutback from Rodrygo.
Barca looked to draw level again three minutes later, but Courtois pulled off a double save to prevent Dembele and Sergio Busquets a look in, as Los Blancos advanced to Sunday's final.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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