Barcelona 'hugely motivated' after beating Osasuna to book Spanish Super Cup final place

Catalans comfortable 2-0 winner to set up Clasico match against Real Madrid in Riyadh on Sunday

Osasuna forward Moi Gomez, left, and Barcelona's forward Robert Lewandowski fight for the ball during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final at Al Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, on January 11, 2024. Barcelona won the match 2-0. AFP

Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera parries a shot by Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski. AFP

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team's first goal. AFP

Barcelona substitute Lamine Yamal scores their second goal. Reuters

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their second goal to secure a 2-0 win over Osasuna. Reuters

Osasuna's goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez gestures to his supporters at Al Awwal Park. Reuters

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo snuffs out an Osasuna attack. AFP

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan attempts a shot at goal. AFP

Barcelona's Ferran Torres dribbles the ball past Osasuna's Alejandro Catena. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish coach Xavi. AFP

Barcelona will face Real Madrid in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh after goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal secured a 2-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday.

The Catalans beat Real Madrid in last year's final and will face their bitter rivals again at Al Awwal Stadium after Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller in the first semi-final in Saudi Arabia.

Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera kept Barcelona at bay before Ilkay Gundogan slipped in veteran forward Lewandowski to open the scoring before the hour mark.

The 35-year-old Poland international has not been at his best this season but finished clinically to give his team the lead.

Yamal, 16, stroked home his first goal since October in stoppage time to clinch Barca's victory.

Barca coach Xavi fired a warning shot at Real Madrid, saying the Catalans were motivated to once again leave Saudi Arabia with silverware.

"We want to take the ball off Madrid, that's our DNA, we're hugely motivated, it's the moment to show our best football," Xavi told reporters.

"We're in another final, another Clasico, which was our main objective – we didn't play a brilliant game, but a serious, sensible one."

Beating Madrid last season in the Super Cup final earned Xavi his first trophy as coach and set up the Spanish champions nicely for their league title tilt.

The sides will do battle again on Sunday with Barcelona attempting to kick-start their season, which has started in disappointing fashion.

The victory over Osasuna was Barcelona's first by more than a single goal since September, during an unconvincing run of form.

"It's true that it's been some time since we've won by more than a goal, but it doesn't matter, it's about winning, playing well, and we played a solid game," Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar.

"We have to improve, we are improving – it's quite a new team this year with a lot of changes and you always need time to improve, to get used to your teammates, and we've had a lot of injuries too, we're in that process and there's a final against Madrid, it's great, two top level teams."

Record 14-time Super Cup winners Barca battled in the first half with Jagoba Arrasate's side, runners-up in last season's Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, and playing in the competition for the first time.

The vast majority of Saudi fans were supporting Barca but there was a strip of supporters dressed in Osasuna red, who cheered as Herrera pummeled Gundogan's free-kick away.

Lewandowski headed wide when well-placed to score and at the other end Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made an impressive save from Ante Budimir five minutes before the break.

Raphinha limped off injured for Barcelona and was replaced by Yamal, who quickly threatened with his pace and incisive pass that Lewandowski could not force home.

Lewandowski eventually struck in the 59th minute after Gundogan found him with a clever ball. The Polish forward carried the ball into the box and tucked a finish home at the near post.

Osasuna complained of a foul in the build-up by Andreas Christensen, but it was far from clear.

"It's evident for me [and] whether it's by chance or not, these fouls always go the way of the same teams," Osasuna captain David Garcia told Movistar.

"I think overall we deserved more, I'm annoyed for everyone, the fans who came here and those who could not come and stayed back home."

Xavi brought on Pedri for his first appearance in nearly a month after injury, and Joao Felix, who has fallen out of favour lately but immediately forced a brilliant Herrera save at full stretch.

Osasuna failed to put Barcelona under enough pressure to find an equaliser and Yamal slotted home at the death after good work by Felix to set up Sunday's mouthwatering final.

"Every Clasico has its own story, we can't predict many things, only that it will be an even game," added Xavi.