Barcelona fans in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, witnessed a night to remember as their side steamrolled Athletic Club 5-0 in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal on January 7, 2026. The Blaugrana, led by a dazzling performance from Raphinha, secured their place in the final at King Abdullah Sports City, leaving no doubt about their intent to claim silverware early in the year.
The build-up to this eagerly anticipated clash had its share of intrigue. Questions swirled around Barcelona’s lineup, particularly with Lamine Yamal—sidelined by a stomach virus—and Robert Lewandowski both absent from the starting eleven. Head coach Hansi Flick made bold tactical calls, opting for Roony Bardghji and Ferran Torres to spearhead the attack, while Joan García started in goal. Athletic Club, under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to spring a surprise in Jeddah’s 62,345-capacity stadium.
The early minutes saw Athletic Club pressing high and winning three corners in quick succession, signaling their intention to take the game to Barcelona. But the Catalans weathered the initial storm and gradually took control of possession. By the 19th minute, Barcelona’s midfield trio—Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermín López—had found their rhythm, dictating play and pinning Athletic Club deep in their own half.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute. Ferran Torres pounced on a mis-hit effort from Fermín López inside the box, volleying home the opener despite not catching it cleanly. That goal opened the floodgates. Just eight minutes later, Raphinha—already showing flashes of brilliance—cut a perfect cross back to Fermín López, who arrived in the box and struck cleanly past Unai Simón to double Barcelona’s lead.
Barcelona’s dominance was relentless. In the 34th minute, Roony Bardghji, handed a rare start, made the most of his opportunity. After a brilliant move past Adama Boiro, Bardghji unleashed a right-footed shot that slipped under Simón’s right arm, making it 3-0. The fourth arrived before halftime, as Raphinha drove into the box and smashed a left-footed shot inside the near post after being set up by Bardghji. By the time the whistle blew for halftime—with two minutes of added time—the score read 4-0, and the contest looked all but settled.
Despite the deficit, Athletic Club did have their moments. Oihan Sancet struck the post in the 43rd minute after connecting with a cross from Alex Berenguer, narrowly missing a chance to get his side on the board. However, Joan García in Barcelona’s goal was equal to everything else, making several crucial saves throughout the match, including a diving stop from Mikel Jauregizar’s well-placed strike in the second half.
As the second half began, Barcelona showed no signs of letting up. Flick rotated his squad, bringing on Marcus Rashford, Marc Bernal, and Gerard Martin for Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Alejandro Balde, respectively. Athletic Club responded with their own substitutions, including Selton Sánchez, Íñigo Lekue, Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Unai Gómez, and Gorka Guruzeta, as Valverde sought to inject some energy into his side.
The fifth and final goal arrived in the 52nd minute, and fittingly, it was Raphinha who completed his brace. After a series of rebounds inside the box, the Brazilian pounced on the loose ball and finished into an empty net, sealing one of his finest performances in a Barcelona shirt. By then, Barcelona were enjoying nearly 80 percent possession, as Athletic Club sat deep and struggled to create clear chances.
Ferran Torres almost made it six in the 85th minute, going one-on-one with Unai Simón, but Dani Vivian’s last-ditch tackle deflected the ball out for a corner. Athletic Club’s best opportunities came in the form of half-chances, with Unai Gómez and Jauregizar both missing the target when presented with rare openings. Barcelona’s defense, marshaled by Jules Koundé and Eric García, held firm throughout.
The match was officiated by Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos, who kept proceedings in check with minimal added time and a steady hand. The atmosphere inside King Abdullah Sports City was electric, as Barcelona’s fans celebrated a performance that harkened back to the club’s most dominant displays.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the Spanish Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia has brought significant financial rewards for participating clubs. Prize money for the 2026 edition is set to increase, with the winner expected to earn between €10 million and €11 million—a substantial boost at this stage of the season. The lucrative deal, secured by former RFEF president Luis Rubiales, ensures the competition will remain in Saudi Arabia through 2029, further raising the stakes for every club involved.
Historically, Barcelona and Athletic Club are two of Spain’s most storied teams, renowned for their commitment to youth development. Their rivalry is a fixture of Spanish football, and this latest encounter marked the 246th meeting between the sides. Barcelona have now claimed victory in 126 of those matches, while Athletic Club’s tally stands at 80 wins, with 40 draws separating the two.
For Barcelona, this semifinal triumph was about more than just reaching another final. It was a statement of intent under Hansi Flick, who continues to shape a squad capable of challenging for trophies on multiple fronts. The decision to start Bardghji and Torres paid dividends, while Raphinha’s two-goal performance will surely give Flick a welcome selection headache ahead of the final.
As for Athletic Club, the defeat will sting, but they can take solace in the fact that few teams could have withstood Barcelona’s onslaught on this form. Valverde’s men will regroup, knowing that their season still holds promise in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
With this emphatic win, Barcelona now turn their attention to the Spanish Super Cup final, set for Sunday, January 11. Their opponents will be determined in the second semifinal, but after a display like this, the Blaugrana will enter the final as clear favorites—brimming with confidence, chasing another trophy, and giving their fans plenty to cheer about in Saudi Arabia.
