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January 10, 2025
Gavi opened the scoring in the 17th minute of the semifinal before assisting Yamal in the 52nd, where the 17-year-old sealed the win with a clinical finish.
Young stars Gavi and Lamine Yamal propelled Barcelona into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, despite the absence of Dani Olmo, whose playing license was revoked.
Olmo had been cleared for temporary registration ahead of the match, but the decision came too late for him or fellow player Pau Victor—who was in a similar situation—to feature against Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao.
Gavi gave Barcelona the lead with a close-range finish after 17 minutes, and teenage winger Lamine Yamal sealed the win with a second goal early in the second half.
In the other semi-final, Spanish and European champions Real Madrid will face cup runners-up Mallorca on Thursday in Saudi Arabia, where the competition has been held for the past few years.
“Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot, we suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well and we’re very happy,” Yamal told Movistar.
The winger mentioned that both Olmo and Victor were happy to be permitted to play again.
“In the end you’re nervous when you can’t play and when you get news like that, you’re very happy,” added Yamal.
Barca coach Hansi Flick praised the decision from Spain’s national sports council to allow Olmo and Victor to play again.
“The whole club is very happy for this right decision,” said Flick, hoping to win his first silverware at the helm of Barca.
“We wanted to show we are a team and we win also for them.”
Barcelona, who qualified as La Liga runners-up, started the match with high energy. Raphinha volleyed over from a fine cross by Jules Kounde and later forced Unai Simon into a good save with a well-struck free-kick.
It was no surprise when Barcelona broke the deadlock. Alejandro Balde delivered a perfect cutback for Gavi, who was playing in Dani Olmo’s attacking midfield role, to score his first goal since recovering from a severe knee injury last season. The 20-year-old celebrated by pointing at an imaginary watch, a gesture often made by Olmo after his goals.
At the other end, Inaki Williams squandered Athletic Bilbao’s best attacking move of the first half as he hesitated on the ball.
Lamine Yamal, returning from an ankle injury, had a chance to double Barcelona’s lead after Raphinha’s shot was saved, but the 17-year-old misjudged his attempted lob.
Wojciech Szczesny, making only his second start for Barcelona, made a crucial save to keep Inaki Williams from scoring before the break.
Veteran forward Robert Lewandowski missed a golden opportunity to add a third for Barcelona, firing wide when well-positioned to score.
Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde, who was dismissed as Barcelona manager following a defeat at the same stadium in 2020, brought on Nico Williams to try and spark a comeback.
The Spain international, who was heavily linked with a summer move to Barcelona, was not fit to start but made an immediate impact from the bench.
Williams created a chance for Oscar de Marcos, but the Athletic defender was ruled offside as he struck the ball, and the goal was disallowed.
Inaki Williams also had a goal ruled out for offside after Frenkie de Jong’s poorly executed back-pass took a slight deflection off Alvaro Djalo before reaching the Ghanaian striker.
“It’s a shame given all the effort… but we have good things ahead of us and we have to continue,” said Inaki Williams.
Barcelona secured their spot in Sunday’s final, where Dani Olmo will be eligible to feature following the resolution of his registration issue.
“We don’t care (who we face in the final), it will be hard and we want to win it, which is the important thing, and go back home with the trophy,” said Yamal.
Explore more: Barcelona shocked as star defender reportedly agrees to loan move to Juventus
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for 24kbet, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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