Barcelona booked their place in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final after a 2-0 win over Athletic Club at a packed King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
A goal in the 17th minute from midfielder Gavi sent Barcelona on their way before winger Lamine Yamal doubled their advantage early in the second half.
Athletic twice had the ball in the back of the net in the final eight minutes, but efforts from Oscar de Marcos and Inaki Williams were ruled out for offside following VAR consultations.
The victory sends Barcelona through to Sunday’s final and a showdown with either rivals Real Madrid or Mallorca, who meet in Thursday’s second semi-final in Jeddah. Should the Catalan club win the trophy, it will be a record-extending 15th Supercopa title.
It was an impressive display from Barcelona, who were cheered on by a boisterous crowd in Jeddah. The fans were given plenty to celebrate when Gavi put his side ahead, the Spanish midfielder getting on the end of left-back Alejandro Balde’s low cross with a first-time finish.
Barca began to build some momentum but Athletic posed a threat and had a few chances of their own to equalise during the first half. The Basque club were made to pay for not scoring as Yamal, the teenage sensation who helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, scored Barcelona’s second goal in the 52nd minute.
This time Gavi turned provider as the midfielder collected the ball following an excellent tackle from Inigo Martinez and sent a perfectly weighted chip into Yamal, who turned and strode into the Athletic area before sending his left-footed finish beyond Unai Simon.
Athletic continued to cause problems on the break and thought they had fought back into the game only for De Marcos and Williams to both be found marginally offside.
For Barcelona, it was a welcome return to form having lost consecutive La Liga matches before the winter break. The evening was made even better for Barca following the news that players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor had been granted permission to be re-registered to the squad.
The decision of Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) to allow Barca to provisionally register the pair came while the team were on the bus going to the stadium.
Barcelona signed the two players in the summer but due to the club being unable to meet La Liga's wage cap, they were allowed to be registered for the first half of the season only.
“I'm very happy. We were looking for the 2-0 victory so this is very good. We are in the final and this was our goal. We are happy also that the team performed well," said Barca boss Hansi Flick.
On the return of Olmo and Victor, Flick added: “I am really happy with it. I think the whole team, the players of course. Dani [Olmo] and Pau [Victor] are more than happy. So is everyone at the club. It is the right decision.”
Olmo's trademark celebration, where he points to his wrist as if checking the time, was replicated by Gavi when he opened the scoring.
"I told him before that I was going to do it if I scored and I've dedicated it to him," Gavi said.
"Both Dani and Pau are players who help us a lot and we are all happy because they can play now."
Goalscorer Yamal had missed Barcelona’s last two games before the winter break with an ankle injury but marked his return with a bright display and a well-taken finish. The 17-year-old forward said he is determined to win his first trophy with his club this week in Jeddah.
“The objective was to reach the final. Bilbao is a very strong team physically and we suffered a bit at the end of the first half," Yamal said.
"Every time the coach gives me confidence, I am very happy to help the team. I am very happy, especially that we qualified for the final.
“It doesn’t matter [who Barcelona play in the final]. It will be a tough match and we want the title. We will wait to know our opponent in the final. I look forward to winning my first title" with Barcelona.
