(Football news) Barcelona booked their place in the Spanish Super Cup final with a win over Copa Del Rey champions Real Betis on penalties. Xavi started with Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo as Andreas Christensen dropped to the bench and Sergi Roberto started at right back. Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele flanked Robert Lewandowski while Sergio Busquets started on the bench having played 120 minutes against CF Intercity and 81 minutes against Atletico Madrid. Real Betis started in their standard 4-2-3-1 with Nabil Fekir as a number 10. Defensive midfielder William Carvalho was benched in favour of Sergio Canales and Guido Rodriguez.

Barcelona started the game on top as Real Betis were unable to get any sort of control. Pedri looked to have scored in the 23rd minute but the goal was ruled out for offside. As the game progressed Betis got more and more into the match. They were a constant threat on the break as the duo of Nabil Fekir and Luiz Henrique were causing trouble. Robert Lewandowski finally broke the deadlock to give Barcelona the lead in the 40th minute. Betis had plenty of chances to score themselves but Marc Andre Ter Stegen made a couple of really good saves.

The Blaugrana had plenty of chances to double their lead but Betis defended really well. Real Betis continued to knock on the door and finally got their equaliser via Nabil Fekir in the 77th minute. Four minutes later Robert Lewandowski looked to have won it for the Catalan club but the VAR once again intervened and ruled it out for offside.

The game went into extra time where substitute Ansu Fati scored an incredible left foot volley to give Barcelona the lead for the 2nd time. Betis looked down and out but somehow got the equaliser after Loren Moron’s back heel. Andres Guardado got 2 yellow cards in the space of 6 minutes as Betis went down to 10 men before the penalty. 

After both teams scored their opening penalties, Ter Stegen saved the next two penalties from Juanmi and William Carvalho. Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Ansu Fati and Pedri scored their penalties to give Barcelona the victory. The Spanish Super Cup final will be held on Sunday and it will be the El Clasico. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid weren’t at their best in the semi finals as both needed penalty shootouts to go through.

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