Barcelona edged out Real Betis at the semi-final stages, while Real Madrid eliminated Valencia at the same stage to set up the highly anticipated final
By Kehinde Okeowo
Spain’s most famous and bitterest rivals, Barcelona and Real Madrid will face each other in this season’s Super Cup final after they both won their semi-final games.
The development means the La Liga giants who were already guaranteed to meet twice this season in the league fixtures, have now added a third third “El Clasico” with the victories.
Barcelona needed a penalty shoot-out to see off Real Betis in the semi-final on Thursday night, after the game finished 2-2 in regulation time and both teams could not be separated at the end of extra time.
However, during the penalty kicks, Catalan goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, saved Juanmi and William Carvalho’s spot kicks to earn Barca a 4-2 win.
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Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 23rd minute, but Nabil Fekir equalised for Real Betis in the 40th minute.
In extra time, Ansu Fati gave Barca the lead again, but Loren Moron drew Betis level forcing the game to go into penalties.
Barcelona after the win will take on arch-rivals, Real Madrid, who beat Valencia in another penalty shootout on Wednesday night after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the final on Sunday, 15 January 2023 and kick-off is at 2pm ET.
