Raphinha Scores Twice; Barcelona Beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 to Secure Spanish Super Cup Final Spot

Barcelona cruised into the Spanish Super Cup final with a commanding 5-0 semi-final victory over Athletic Bilbao at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium on January 8, 2026. The Catalan giants, led by coach Hansi Flick, delivered a dominant performance that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions. Barcelona will now face the winner of Thursday's semi-final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Sunday's final.

Raphinha was the standout performer, scoring twice and contributing significantly to Barcelona's relentless attack. The Brazilian forward, who has been in excellent form since recovering from a hamstring injury, opened the scoring sequence with a precise cut-back for Fermín López's powerful finish in the 30th minute. Raphinha then added his first goal just eight minutes later, lashing a shot into the top left corner, before sealing his brace early in the second half with a clinical close-range finish. His contributions highlighted his growing importance in Flick's system and his determination to reach peak performance for the team.

The rout began earlier when Ferran Torres bundled home the opener in the 22nd minute after Fermín López's shot deflected kindly into his path. Roony Bardghji added a third shortly after, capitalizing on a shocking error by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón, who mishandled a low effort and allowed the ball to trickle over the line. The five-goal margin reflected Barcelona's superiority, as they sliced through Athletic's defense repeatedly while limiting the Basque side to minimal threats—Oihan Sancet struck the post as Bilbao's best chance of the night.

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Despite starting teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the bench, Flick's side showed no dip in intensity, maintaining high pressing and fluid attacking play throughout. The win marked a strong step toward defending their Super Cup title, which they claimed last season under Flick as the first trophy of his tenure, setting the tone for a successful campaign that ultimately delivered La Liga and Copa del Rey successes.

Athletic Bilbao endured a difficult evening, struggling to cope with Barcelona's pace and precision. Captain Iñaki Williams offered an apology to the traveling fans, admitting the team was "not up to the level today" and acknowledging the need to improve. The result further highlighted Barcelona's current dominance in Spanish football while raising questions about Bilbao's form this season. As preparations begin for the final, Flick's men will look to carry their momentum forward and secure another piece of silverware in Saudi Arabia.

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