Barca reach Spanish Super Glass final
Marc-Andre ter Stegen's heroics ensured Barcelona edged previous Real Sociedad on penalties in Wednesday to reach the Spanish Super Glass final, without the injured Lionel Messi.
Messi was seeing on seeing as Ter Stegen did his better to fill the void in Cordoba, the goalkeeper immense both found in the shoot-out and during regular period, which had finished 1-1.
Frenkie de Jong's header was first cancelled out by a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal, who then missed found in the shoot-out, one of two crucial saves created by Ter Stegen before 21-year-old Riqui Puig hit the winning shot.
"I wasn't right down to have one but we needed yet another taker and I stepped forward," explained Puig.
Barca advance to meet up either Real Madrid or perhaps Athletic Bilbao in the ultimate on Sunday, when Messi is expected to be accessible again, although trainer Ronald Koeman was cautious at full-time.
"We need to wait," he said.
Koeman's team possess a good mountain to climb in La Liga's title competition nevertheless they are improving, at this time nine video games unbeaten and with a good trophy within their grasp.
This is actually the second year of the Spanish Super Cup's new format, which includes four teams playing each other in a semi-final and final.
Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad joined after achieving the final of last season's Copa del Rey, which continues to be to be played out, while Barcelona done runners-up to Madrid on La Liga.
Yet while last season's version controversially took place in Saudi Arabia, the pandemic means this year's semis are found in Cordoba and Malaga, with the ultimate to be played found in Seville.
Barca were the better area in the first 50 percent but had Ter Stegen to thank for not conceding early as Alexander Isak sped in to the area and then see his chipped surface finish saved by the goalkeeper.
It was De Jong's dash to the close to content that brought the initial objective, an Antoine Griezmann cross hanging simply just long more than enough for the midfielder to make it happen first and direct a good superb header in.
Yet De Jong gave Real Sociedad a way back just after half-period, the ball striking him over the side and allowing Oyarzabal to equalise from the location.
Barca almost pulled ahead quickly as De Jong swivelled in the box, and then take an unnecessary extra feel. Ousmane Dembele fired only extensive and Trincao, on as an alternative, also had an opportunity to win it prior to the 90 mins were up.
Zaldua unleashed in extra time but Ter Stegen tipped more than. Dembele's surface finish was saved also while Adnan Januzaj poked extensive at the end of a brilliant run and then hit the content with a free-kick.
In to the shoot-out, and Jon Bautista's first attempt was parried away by Ter Stegen, limited to De Jong to hit the post.
But Oyarzabal, who had scored previous from the spot, this time missed, Ter Stegen guessing proper again. Dembele obtained before Willian Jose struck the post. Miralem Pjanic tucked in therefore have Mikel Merino under great pressure.
Griezmann could have won it but ballooned above before Januzaj converted for 2-2, which still left it up to Puig to win it for Barca, the youngster slamming house for an area in the final.
