Raphinha scores twice as Barcelona thrash Athletic Bilbao 5-0 to reach Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, continuing a nine-match winning streak

Barcelona advanced to the Spanish Super Cup final with a dominant 5-0 semi-final win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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The holders and record 15-time champions will face the winner of Thursday’s clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s final.

La Liga leaders Barcelona cruised despite starting teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after a fortunate deflection from Fermin Lopez’s mishit shot.

The Catalans quickly extended their lead as Raphinha set up Lopez to blast a superb strike into the top corner, the first of three goals in just eight minutes.

Swedish winger Roony Bardghji added a third when goalkeeper Unai Simon mishandled a low shot.

Raphinha then struck twice, first in the 38th minute with a fierce shot into the top-left corner and then shortly after the break with a precise finish from close range, completing his brace and sealing Barcelona’s emphatic victory.

Athletic’s best chance came when Oihan Sancet hit the post, but the Basque side were thoroughly outplayed in a miserable night for the team, who last won the competition in 2021.

The result continues Barcelona’s fine run under coach Hansi Flick, who led them to La Liga and Copa del Rey titles last season after claiming the Spanish Super Cup.

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The team has now won nine consecutive matches across all competitions.