Barcelona's Super Cup Showdown: A Lesson in Dominance

Barcelona's journey to the Spanish Super Cup final began with a statement. They crushed Athletic Club 5-0 in a semifinal that was over before it even started. Raphinha was the star, scoring twice, but he wasn't alone. Torres, López, and Bardghji all got on the scoresheet too. The game started with Athletic Club looking dangerous. They had chances early, but Barcelona soon took control. It was a 16-minute blitz that decided the game. Torres opened the scoring, then López and Bardghji made it 3-0. Raphinha added the fourth before halftime. It was a masterclass in attacking football. After the break, Raphinha completed his brace. He showed why he's one of the best wingers in the world. Barcelona's defense was solid, barely giving Athletic a chance. It was a complete performance.Raphinha's post-match comments were humble. He knew Athletic were a tough team. But on this day, Barcelona were just better. They made the game look easy, but they knew it wasn't. It was a team effort, and they deserved the win. Hansi Flick, Barcelona's manager, was pleased. He saw a different mentality from his team. After a poor performance against Espanyol, this was a response. They played as a unit, in defense and attack. It was a sign of things to come. Athletic Club had moments, but they were outclassed. They hit the post through Sancet, but that was as close as they got. Barcelona controlled the game from start to finish. They're now in the final, where they'll face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid. This win was a statement. Barcelona are back. They're playing with confidence and style. They're a team to be feared. And they're just getting started.