Staff Reporter.
Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 in Saudi Arabia to set up a Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday with Real Madrid.
After a goalless first half, Robert Lewandowski put Barca ahead in the 59th minute when he scored with a low shot after collecting Ilkay Gundogan’s pass.
However, Osasuna players were left fuming and complained to the referee that Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen had fouled Jose Arnaiz before starting the counter-attack, but a VAR check confirmed the goal.
“We felt we were wronged, because the refereeing criteria was very different during the whole match. The foul was clear,” Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate told Movistar Plus.
“Watching live it looked like a foul, to be honest, but the replay shows that there was nothing…” Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said.
“Sometimes the referee works to our advantage, sometimes he works against us… However, I don’t think he was decisive in today’s outcome.”
Andreas Christensen and Lewandowski had earlier had shots saved by Sergio Herrera, with Ante Budimir missing a good opportunity for Osasuna.
Lamine Yamal scored Barca’s second goal in the third minute of added time.
Barca have won the Spanish Super Cup a record 14 times and take on current La Liga leaders Real as they seek a 15th triumph.
The competition features the top three sides from last season’s La Liga – champions Barcelona, runners-up Real and third-placed Atletico Madrid, as well as Osasuna, who lost to Real in the Copa del Rey final.
All the matches are taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and this was the second of three games.
On Wednesday, Atletico were five minutes away from moving into the final before Real’s Dani Carvajal scored to make it 3-3 and take it to extra time, with goals from Joselu and Brahim Diaz giving them a 5-3 victory.
“You don’t play finals, you win them. We want to compete against an opponent who I saw very well in the other semifinal,” Xavi said.
“However, there are no favourites, it’s an El Clasico. Hopefully the final will go our way like last year. We are the reigning champions and at least we will enjoy it.”