Edin Terzic. File
| Photo Credit: AP

The match was temporarily stopped because of racist chanting.© AFP

Young starlets Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, without Dani Olmo after his licence to play was revoked, into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. Spanish playmaker Olmo was cleared to play again on a temporary basis before the game but the decision came too late for him or Pau Victor, in the same position, to feature against Copa del Rey winners Athletic. Gavi put Barcelona ahead from close range after 17 minutes and teenage winger Yamal netted the second early after the break.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid face cup runners-up Mallorca on Thursday in the second semi-final in Saudi Arabia, where the competition has been held for the past few years.

“Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot, we suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well and we’re very happy,” Yamal told Movistar.

The winger said Olmo and Victor were pleased to be allowed to play once more.

“In the end you’re nervous when you can’t play and when you get news like that, you’re very happy,” added Yamal.

Barca coach Hansi Flick hailed the decision from Spain’s national sports council regarding Olmo and Victor.

“The whole club is very happy for this right decision,” said Flick, hoping to win his first silverware at the helm of Barca.

“We wanted to show we are a team and we win also for them.”

Barcelona, who qualified as La Liga runners-up, started brightly and Raphinha volleyed over from a fine Jules Kounde cross and forced Unai Simon into a good save with a free-kick.

It was no surprise when the Catalans broke the deadlock with Alejandro Balde cutting the ball back for Gavi, playing in Olmo’s attacking midfield role, to turn home for his first goal since suffering a severe knee injury last season.

The 20-year-old pointed at an imaginary watch in his celebration, a nod to Olmo who regularly produces the same gesture after scoring.

At the other end Inaki Williams dallied on the ball too long as Athletic’s best attacking move of the first half broke down.

Yamal, returning after an ankle problem, should have added Barcelona’s second after Raphinha’s shot was saved but the 17-year-old miscued an attempted lob.

Wojciech Szczesny, on his second start in goal for Barcelona, made a good save to keep Inaki Williams at bay before the break.

Sharp Yamal

Barcelona doubled their lead early in the second half when Gavi slipped in Yamal who finished with aplomb.

Veteran Polish forward Robert Lewandowski spurned a fine chance to add the third, firing off-target when well placed.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as Barcelona boss after a defeat at the same stadium in 2020, brought on Nico Williams to try and turn the game around.

The Spain international, heavily linked with Barcelona in the summer, was not fit enough to start, but made a positive impact from the bench.

The winger set up Oscar de Marcos to strike but the Athletic defender had strayed just offside and the goal was ruled out.

Inaki Williams also had a goal ruled out for offside after Frenkie De Jong’s poor back-pass took a slight deflection off Alvaro Djalo on its way to the Ghana international.

“It’s a shame given all the effort… but we have good things ahead of us and we have to continue,” said Inaki Williams.

Barcelona were able to book their place in Sunday’s final, in which Olmo will be allowed to feature.

“We don’t care (who we face in the final), it will be hard and we want to win it, which is the important thing, and go back home with the trophy,” said Yamal.

Barcelona vs Athletic Club LIVE Streaming, Spanish Super Cup: FC Barcelona will be hoping to put aside their patchy La Liga form as they take on Athletic Club de Bilbao in the first semi-final of the Supercopa de Espana. While Barcelona have qualified for the Supercopa after finishing second in last season’s La Liga, Athletic qualified as a result of winning the Copa del Rey 2023/24. Barcelona will also hope to put off-field problems behind them, having been in the news for not being able to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor with their first team squad. Barcelona narrowly won 2-1 when the two sides met in La Liga this season, but they will be without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the contest.

Here are the LIVE Streaming details for Barcelona vs Athletic Club de Bilbao, Supercopa de Espana 2024/25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How To Watch:

When will the Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match take place?

The Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match will take place on Thursday, January 9 (IST).

Where will the Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match be held?

The Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

What time will the Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match start?

The Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match will start at 12:30 AM IST (Thursday).

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match?

The Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match?

The Barcelona vs Athletic Club, Supercopa de Espana match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Barcelona and Real Madrid are looking over their shoulders in La Liga at in-form Atletico Madrid, wary of a letdown after taxing wins away from home in the Champions League this week. A 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund ensured Barcelona will advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s top club competition, while Madrid won by the same scoreline away to a previously unbeaten Atalanta. That win kept the holders in contention for automatic qualification to the last 16, but Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted the match drained a lot of energy from his injury-hit squad.

“It was a tough match because Atalanta demanded a lot from us physically,” said Ancelotti, whose side trail leaders Barcelona by two points but have a game in hand.

Vinicius Junior scored on his return from a hamstring injury in Italy on a night Kylian Mbappe netted his 50th Champions League goal before going off injured. 

“We have to hang in there until Christmas,” added Ancelotti, who also welcomed back Rodrygo and is expecting to have Eduardo Camavinga fit again soon.

“The calendar is very demanding, we have a reduced squad and that doesn’t allow us to rotate players as much. We have to hang in there for the time being.”

Madrid make the short trip to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday knowing they can snatch top spot from Barcelona, for 24 hours at least, before next week’s Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar. 

But they could be without Mbappe due to the hamstring problem he suffered on Tuesday.

“Mbappe has some discomfort in his hamstrings. It doesn’t seem serious but we’ll see,” Ancelotti said after the Atalanta game.

“He couldn’t sprint, it hurt him a bit and we thought it best to replace him.”

Barcelona host a struggling Leganes on Sunday attempting to arrest their domestic dip in form, with a run of one win in five games opening the door to their title rivals.

Atletico are three points adrift of Barcelona having also played a game less, and have won five in a row in La Liga going into Sunday’s home derby with Getafe.

Not far behind are Athletic Bilbao, whose 2-0 win at Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Wednesday pushed them closer to the Europa League last 16.

Athletic, unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, are going for a fifth straight league win away to Alaves this weekend, while Villarreal and Real Betis meet in a clash of teams whose results have tailed off recently.

Player to watch: Julian Alvarez

The Argentine is Atletico’s top scorer with 12 goals overall since his August arrival from Manchester City.

The 24-year-old left England seeking a new challenge after largely playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland despite his critical role in his country’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

Alvaraz set Atletico on their way to a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava midweek with a terrific curling effort before Antoine Griezmann‘s double sealed the points.

“He’s a great player,” said Griezmann, who himself is in a rich vein of form with seven goals in his last five outings. “It’s a joy and a source of pride to have him with us and to be able to help him.”

Key stats

5 – after failing to score until November 9, Jude Bellingham has now found the net in each of Madrid’s last five league games

8 – months since Valencia’s last away league win, a 1-0 victory at Osasuna in April 

10 – consecutive wins for Atletico in La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Friday

Valladolid v Valencia (2000)

Saturday

Espanyol v Osasuna (1300), Mallorca v Girona (1515), Sevilla v Celta Vigo (1730), Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid (2000)

Sunday

Atletico Madrid v Getafe (1300), Alaves v Athletic Bilbao (1515), Villarreal v Real Betis, Real Sociedad v Las Palmas (both 1730), Barcelona v Leganes (2000)

This was a sixth win in a row in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao.© AFP

Kylian Mbappe said he will take full responsibility for a “big mistake” after the striker missed another penalty in champions Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday. A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool, he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage. Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss.

However, substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde error.

The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.

“A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it,” said Mbappe in a post on social media network Instagram.

“A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the forward was downhearted after goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty.

“Obviously (Mbappe) is sad, disappointed, but he has to continue,” the Italian told reporters.

Mbappe has scored 10 goals in his first 20 games for Madrid across all competitions but is struggling for consistency.

“He’s not at his best level but we have to give him time to adapt, he’s scored 10 goals, he can do better and he’s working to do that,” said Ancelotti.

Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.

Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spain winger Nico Williams, with his brother Inaki Williams lurking dangerously.

It was a first half of few clear chances, but one played with intensity in front of a packed San Mames stadium.

Mbappe found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside and the referee reviewed a Rodrygo penalty appeal but decided the Brazilian winger went down too easily.

At the other end, Berenguer should have put the hosts ahead but blasted high over the bar after Inaki Williams’ clever backheel teed him up.

The forward made amends early in the second half by bundling home from close range after Courtois could only palm an Inaki Williams cross into his path.

‘Thought he would go same way’

Mbappe had the chance to level for Madrid from the spot when Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala barrelled into Antonio Rudiger.

After missing his penalty against Liverpool, Mbappe agreed to let Bellingham take one against Getafe on Sunday.

However this time the French forward stepped up himself but his weak effort, again to the goalkeeper’s left, was at a comfortable height for Agirrezabala to parry.

“These days we study everything a lot, I knew he was a good taker and he’d missed the last one, I thought he would go the same way and luckily he did,” Agirrezabala told DAZN.

“I’m very happy for what was an incredible night, beating Real Madrid in front of our fans is so nice.”

Mbappe did play a part in Madrid’s equaliser, though, with a vicious drive from distance that the stopper could only push out into the path of Bellingham, who finished tidily for his fourth goal in his last four league games.

Madrid were only level for two minutes before Bilbao regained the lead through Guruzeta, who stole the ball as Valverde prepared to pass and fired low past Courtois.

Mbappe cut a deflated figure in the final stages, with one attempt to break in down the left quickly shut down by the Bilbao defence to raucous cheers from their jubilant supporters.

Last season Real Madrid lost just twice across all competitions on their way to a La Liga and Champions League double, but this was their fifth defeat of the current campaign.

“Bit by bit we will get players back (from injury) and we will improve our level,” pledged Ancelotti.

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Live Streaming LaLiga Live Telecast: Real Madrid face a tough trip to Basque Country as they take on Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Carlo Ancelotti’s men will look to reduce leaders Barcelona’s gap to just one point, having played two games less than Hansi Flick’s side. Despite concerns surrounding summer arrival Kylian Mbappe‘s form, the France captain netted his 8th goal of the season, the joint-most for the club in the league alongside Vinicius Jr, against Getafe at the weekend. Vinicius missed the game against Getafe due to an injury and is also out for the trip up north.

Ernesto Valverde’s Bilbao, on the other hand, sit 4th, 11 points behind Barcelona and seven behind their opponents on Thursday, Real Madrid. However, Los Leones have failed to beat Real Madrid in each of their last 18 games in LaLiga, losing 15 and drawing three times during the same course. Oihan Sancet leads the scoring charts for them, with the midfielder netting 7 times this season.

When will the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match take place?

The Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match will take place on Thursday, December 5 (IST).

Where will the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match be held?

The Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be held at the Estadio San Mames, Bilbao.

What time will the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match start?

The Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match will start at 1:30 AM IST (Thursday).

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match will not be televised in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be live streamed on the GXR World app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Robert Lewandowski shrugged off a string of missed opportunities to earn Barcelona a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga. The 36-year-old striker twice hit the woodwork, among other wasted chances, but kept his cool to slot home a 75th-minute winner for the Catalan giants. Teenage starlet Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead with a deflected effort but Oihan Sancet pulled Athletic level from the penalty spot before half-time. Lewandowski’s strike earned Barcelona their second win from two league matches under new coach Hansi Flick.

“Especially in the first half he could have scored one or two goals… but in the end this is a goal getter, a striker, who scores goals,” Flick told reporters.

“The second goal was the winner, three points, perfect.”

The former Germany and Bayern Munich boss had hoped to utilise new arrival Dani Olmo but with Barcelona unable to register him because of their financial difficulties, the former RB Leipzig playmaker could only watch from the stands.

Pedri started in midfield after injury, along with 17-year-old Spain star Yamal, who shared a joke with his compatriot Nico Williams, a Barcelona target this summer.

The winger is set to stay with Athletic this season and some Barcelona fans whistled him during his engaging battle with Jules Kounde.

Barcelona drew first blood, with Yamal’s effort from the edge of the box deflecting home off Inigo Lekue’s head.

“I’m very happy for the win, it’s important to win at home,” Yamal told DAZN.

“(For my goal) I saw a bit of space, I saw Nico coming, who is not very intense when it comes to defending, and when I found the space, I shot.”

Williams whipped a dangerous cross inches wide of the far post at the other end as Athletic threatened.

Barca striker Lewandowski, who netted twice at Valencia in their La Liga opener, struck the post after more good work by Yamal and Raphinha.

Athletic pulled level shortly before the break when young centre-back Pau Cubarsi clumsily fouled Alejandro Berenguer in the area.

Sancet sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the penalty spot to send the teams in tied at the break.

Polish veteran Lewandowski hit the woodwork a second time, heading Raphinha’s free-kick against the far post from point-blank range.

The Brazilian teed up the forward again with an inviting cross but Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla made a superb save.

Barcelona were turning the screw and got their reward when Lewandowski fired home his third goal of the campaign in the 75th minute.

Raphinha played in Pedri, whose cross was palmed out by Padilla into Lewandowski’s path and this time he made no mistake.

‘You always suffer’

Barcelona’s victory against Ernesto Valverde’s Copa del Rey winners is another morale boost after their opening day win at Valencia.

Champions Real Madrid are widely expected to defend their crown after signing Kylian Mbappe but Flick’s Barcelona have made a perfect start in their bid to snatch it back, despite various injury problems.

Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo are among those who will return later in the season for Barcelona, while Olmo is waiting for his chance too.

“These are things we have to accept because we cannot change it,” continued Flick.

“We knew when we signed for Barca (the financial situation) is not easy, (so I) don’t think about that. Today we wanted three points and we got it.”

Athletic have just one point from their first two matches.

“You always suffer when you come here, you know they will take the initiative,” said former Barca coach Valverde.

“In the second half they were stronger in pressing after losing the ball and they didn’t let us get out, I think that was the key.”

Nico Williams in action© AFP