Barcelona qualified for the Spanish Super Cup final after defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Goals from Javi and Lamine Yamal ensured Barcelona's passage into Sunday's final, while Athletic had two goals disallowed for offside during the final 10 minutes.
The Catalan club were buoyed by news before kick-off that players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor had been granted provisional playing registrations by Spain's sports board, Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD).
🔥Full time! 🔥
See you in the final! pic.twitter.com/wbeJKGWgSv– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 8, 2025
Head coach Hansi Flick described the ruling as “the right decision” and his side started brightly in Jeddah, with Gavi opening the scoring after just a quarter of an hour.
Athletic's performance improved throughout the match, but Flick's side doubled their lead shortly after the end of the first half when Yamal scored to put Barcelona in a commanding position.
It seemed that Bilbao succeeded in reducing the difference through Oscar de Marcos in the 82nd minute, but the goal was canceled due to offside.
Four minutes later, Inaki Williams took advantage of Frenkie de Jong's back pass to slot home, but again the goal was disallowed by the VAR.
Barcelona will get to know its opponents in Sunday's clash, which is also being held at King Abdullah Sports City, on Thursday when Real Madrid plays against Mallorca.