Andre Ter Stegen made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout as Barcelona beat Real Betis on penalties to set up Spanish Super Cup final with Real Madrid.
2023 Spanish Super Cup
2 (2)-2 (4)
Penalty Shootout
Barca took the lead in the first half courtesy of Robert Lewandowski, with Xavi Hernandez’s getting their reward for their early domination. However, they couldn’t see the game out as Nabil Fekir equalised for Betis with 15 minutes left on the clock in normal time.
That meant extra time was needed, and Xavi’s side put the disappointment of being held in 90 minutes behind them very early on, as Ansu Fati fired in a beautiful volley to make it 2-1. The ball fell kindly to the 20-year-old, and his execution was perfect as he fired past former Barca keeper Claudio Bravo.
Much like in regular time, Barca couldn’t hold out and Betis have netted a second leveller courtesy of Loren Moron’s exquisite backheel. Despite Andres Guardado’s last sending off for two yellow cards, Betis forced penalties.
Each team scored their first two efforts, with Lewandowski and Franck Kessie scoring for Barca and Willian Jose and Loren netting for Betis. The hero for the Blaugrana was Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who saved from Juanmi and William Carvalho, which allowed Fati to make it 3-2, before Pedri fired home the penalty to send Barca into the final.
Xavi will be relieved to have progressed, despite having seen his side throw away a lead twice. He will be hoping for no repeats when Real Madrid are taken on in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Match Events
11' Lewandowski's shot stopped
23' OFFSIDE! Pedri’s goal disallowed
31' Ter Stegen makes decent save
40' GOAL! Betis 0-1 Barcelona (Lewandowski)
48' Yellow Card! Fekir booked
60' Yellow Card! Roberto booked
62' Dembele's shot wide out
74' Fekir's shot over the bar
77' GOAL! Betis 1-1 Barcelona (Fekir)
79' Yellow Card! G. Rodriguez booked
81' Disallowed! Lewandowski scores but the goal is offside
92' Fati's shot stopped
93' GOAL! Betis 1-2 Barcelona (Fati)
101' GOAL! Betis 2-2 Barcelona (Moron)
118' Guardado sent off!
Line-ups
Betis XI: Bravo, Canales, Pezzella, Fekir, Iglesias, G. Rodriguez, Ruibal, Luiz Felipe, Juan Miranda, Rodri Sánchez, Luiz Henrique
Subs: Joaquin, Guardado, V.Ruiz, W.José, Juanmi, Montoya, Carvalho, Sabaly, Rui Silva, Camarasa, Martin, Edgar González, Moron, Paul Akouokou
Barcelona XI: Lewandowski, Alba, Ter Stegen, Roberto, Dembele, De Jong, Raphinha, Kounde, Ronald Araújo, Pedri, Gavi
Subs: Busquets, Alonso, Depay, Christensen, Kessie, Pena, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Arnau Tenas, Fati, Álex Baldé