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Barcelona logo
UEFA Super Cup | UEFA Super Cup
Aug 11, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Sevilla logo

5-4

Messi (7', 15'), Rafinha (44'), Suarez (52'), Pedro (115')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Banega (3'), Antonio Reyes (57'), Gameiro (72' pen.), Konoplyanka (81')

Barcelona edge Sevilla in nine-goal thriller to win Super Cup

Wantaway striker Pedro scores an extra-time winner to hand Barcelona a thrilling 5-4 victory over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.

Barcelona have won the 2015 UEFA Super Cup courtesy of a thrilling extra-time 5-4 victory over Sevilla in Georgia this evening.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona is congratulated on scoring their first goal with Dani Alves of Barcelona during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

The Europa League champions had previously come from 4-1 down to force an additional 30 minutes, but wantaway striker Pedro netted the winner deep into extra time to cap off a memorable night in Tbilisi.

The showpiece, being played between two Spanish teams for the second consecutive year, was lit up by a free kick masterclass in the first half, with Ever Banega giving his side a perfect start by curling his set piece into the top corner after just three minutes.

Ever Banega of Sevilla gives the thumbs up after scoring the oprning goal during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015 © Getty Images

It did not take long for Lionel Messi to respond in kind to his compatriot, floating his own free kick over the wall and beyond the despairing dive of Beto just four minutes later.

The talismanic number 10 repeated the trick shortly afterwards too, again beating Beto from a set piece to see him score two direct free kicks in a match for the first time in his career.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores their second goal from a free kick during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

That goal also took him to 24 against Sevilla - making them his favourite opposition - but it was his strike partner Luis Suarez who was to have the ball in the back of the net next, although his finish just before the half-hour mark was controversially ruled out for offside.

A Dani Alves interception prevented Sevilla from creating a chance at the other end shortly before half time, and that proved decisive as Barcelona advanced up the pitch to score just two minutes later, Rafinha tapping home a Suarez cross after the Uruguayan had seen a shot of his own saved.

Rafinha of Barcelona scores the third goal under pressure from Beto and Coke of Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

Suarez would get his own name on the scoresheet less than 10 minutes after the restart, however, seemingly putting the game to bed by tucking a shot into the bottom corner having latched on to a Sergio Busquets through-ball.

Sevilla had other ideas, though, and they set about launching an unlikely comeback five minutes later as Jose Antonio Reyes tucked home a Vitolo cross to keep his side's slim hopes alive.

Those hopes grew substantially 20 minutes from time when Jeremy Mathieu dragged Kevin Gameiro to ground in the box, and the Frenchman picked himself up to tuck the spot kick away.

Sevilla's French forward Kevin Gameiro celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC in Tbilisi on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

Both sides exchanged chances over the next 10 minutes, with Messi being denied a hat-trick by Beto before Gameiro was inches short of connecting with a Coke cross.

The equaliser did come with just nine minutes remaining, however, as Yevhen Konoplyanka made it a dream debut by levelling things up from close range - a goal that made it the highest-scoring Super Cup match in the competition's history.

Having pegged three goals back in a half-hour spell against the reigning European champions, Sevilla began to retreat into their shells a little, and they were almost punished when Messi came within inches of bagging a hat-trick of direct free kicks.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona holds off a challenge from Ever Banega of Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

Unai Emery's side were able to force extra time, however, and the first period of the additional 30 perhaps understandably failed to live up to the frenetic pace of the previous 90.

It was the irrepressible Messi, still going despite his Copa America exploits, who had the first sight of goal in extra time, but his overhead kick from an Alves cross sailed over the bar.

However, it was Pedro - playing perhaps his final game for the club after handing in a transfer request - who ultimately proved to be the difference, tucking home a rebound after Beto had denied a low strike from Messi.

Pedro of Barcelona evades a tackle from Vitolo of Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

There could have been yet another twist late on as Banega's free kick found Coke, but the defender somehow could not convert to make it 5-5, while Adil Rami also missed a golden opportunity with virtually the last kick of the match as Barcelona clung on.

The result sees Barcelona claim a record-equalling fifth Super Cup crown, drawing level with AC Milan as the most successful team in the competition's history.

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Lionel Messi of Barcelona holds off a challenge from Ever Banega of Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015
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