Spanish super cup
Real Madrid defeat Athletic Bilbao to win Spanish Super Cup
Modric's curling finish towards the end of the first half and Benzema's strike early in the second sealed the win for Madrid, who claimed their first trophy in...
At the end of a pulsating contest in Saudi Arabia, Madrid scraped through 3-2 after extra-time and will now face either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao, who play on Thursday, in Sunday's final.
Moments before Bilbao's momentous triumph was confirmed, Messi threw an arm at Asier Villalibre, who had earlier scored a 90th-minute equaliser in normal time to deny Barca victory.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to use glitzy sporting extravaganzas as an instrument of soft power in its push for regional supremacy as well as to project a moderate image of a country long seen as an exporter of jihadist ideology.
Barcelona lifted the Spanish Super Cup for a record extending 13th time by coming from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a stunning strike from France winger Ousmane Dembele and a penalty save in stoppage time from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Karim Benzema struck before halftime to seal the victory and Barcelona left the Spanish capital with home supporters’ chants of ‘champions’ ringing in their ears.
Athletic Bilbao won their first major cup in more than 30 years when they beat Barca 5-1 on aggregate.
The Atletico Madrid striker’s early goal secured a 1-0 win over Real Madrid to clinch the Spanish Super Cup.
Real Madrid won their first Spanish Super Cup in four years
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes erred to allow Real Madrid a late goal in the Super Cup.