Barcelona faced Sevilla in the 2015 European Super Cup in Georgia on Tuesday evening.
The first half between the two La Liga sides was a story of three free kicks and the tenacity of Luis Suarez.
Ever Banega opening the scoring for Sevilla from a set piece, before Lionel Messi scored twice from dead-ball situations to send Barca 2-1 ahead after just 16 minutes.
The Catalan outfit scored their third late in the first period when Suarez fed Rafinha, who could not miss from close range.
Suarez then got in on the act early in the second half as Barca made it 4-1, but five minutes later, Jose Antonio Reyes scored a second for Sevilla.
Sevilla made it 4-3 from a Kevin Gameiro penalty with 20 minutes still to play, before Yevhen Konoplyanka levelled the scores at 4-4 in the 81st minute, which took the game into extra-time.
Pedro won it for Barcelona in the 115th minute, however, on what might have been his final game for the club.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live coverage continues as Barcelona face Sevilla in the European Super Cup in Georgia. Barca will enter as the favourites to win this competition for a fifth time, but Sevilla's presence in Europe is certainly growing. It has all the makings of a fascinating match-up here!
Just a reminder that we are building towards a 7.45pm UK time kickoff tonight, so the team news is expected to land shortly. However, unconfirmed reports have claimed that Pedro is not in the Barcelona XI tonight, despite the absence of Neymar. Clear indication of a move to Manchester United?
Incidentally, this is the 40th edition of the European Super Cup and the venue tonight is the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, Georgia, which is a very impressive arena indeed. This evening's referee, meanwhile, will be Scotland's Willie Collum, who is just 36 years of age. Big night for him!
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Indeed, there is no Pedro in the Barca XI tonight, which is very big news. Rafinha has been given the nod to start alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in attack, while Jeremy Mathieu starts at left-back in place of the injured Jordi Alba. Sevilla team news to follow...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Mathieu; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Rafinha, Suarez, Messi
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Rami, Krychowiak, Tremoulinas; Krohn-Dehli, Iborra; Vitolo, Banega, Reyes; Gameiro
So there we have it. As mentioned, Rafinha ahead of Pedro is the main talking point for Barcelona. That is perhaps the strongest indication yet that the Spaniard is on his way this summer. Neymar is on the sidelines with mumps, but the midfield three are as expected, with Andres Iniesta skippering the team.
As for Sevilla, they are without the services of new signing Steven N'Zonzi, who has a stomach bug. Adil Rami, who also moved to the club this summer, has been suffering with the same illness, but has been considered fit to start. Grzegorz Krychowiak has been drafted into the centre of the defence alongside Rami, while Michael Krohn-Dehli will also make his official debut for Unai Emery's team.
Further forward, Kevin Gameiro has been given the lone striking role for Sevilla and the Frenchman will be supported by Jose Antonio Reyes and Vitolo. Summer loan signing from Borussia Dortmund Ciro Immobile, however, has not been deemed fit to start as he continues to recover from a broken nose.
Of course, these two teams know each other very well due to their league connection and it would be fair to say that Barcelona have very much dominated the meetings overall. It was Sevilla, however, that tasted success when the duo met in the 2006 European Super Cup. A certain Frederic Kanoute was on the scoresheet for Sevilla as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Monaco.
During the 2006 final, Dani Alves was playing for Sevilla, while only Messi and Iniesta remain from the Barca squad that took part. It was a shock scoreline at the time and if Sevilla were to win 3-0 here, it would be an even bigger surprise. I'm not saying it can't happen, I am saying that it won't.
In total, these two teams have met on 45 occasions. Barcelona have won 25 of those matches, with Sevilla winning 10. More recently, it has been a fixture dominated by Barca. In fact, Sevilla have not beaten the Catalan outfit since the first leg of the 2010-11 Spanish Super Cup – a run that stretches 11 games.
© Getty Images
Last season, Barcelona were 5-1 winners in their league fixture at the Camp Nou, but Sevilla did come from 2-0 down to claim a point in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Ramon later in the season. Incredibly, Sevilla have not beaten Barca in the league since March 2007, when they won 2-1 in Seville.
It is worth remembering that Sevilla also took part in this competition last season having won the Europa League in the 2013-14 season. As winners of the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid were waiting in the final and it was Los Blancos that triumphed with a 2-0 victory in Cardiff. As it stands, Sevilla have won just one of their three European Super Cup finals.
Barcelona have seemingly confirmed that Pedro wants to leave the club this summer...
Robert Fernandez (Barcelona technical secretary): "Pedro requested a transfer, but we are not going to accept less than €30m for him." #MUFC
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 11, 2015
Barcelona, on the other hand, have been in the final of this tournament on eight occasions – winning four times. They failed to triumph in any of their first three appearances, but have won on their last two trips to the final – 2009 and 2011. Can the Catalan outfit match AC Milan's five Super Cup titles?
In terms of recent form, Barcelona have played five pre-season friendlies this summer and won just twice, losing three times in the process. They opened their tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy, but then lost to both Manchester United and Chelsea – the latter on penalty kicks – before facing Fiorentina in Florence, where they were beaten 2-1 to make it three straight defeats.
Luis Enrique's side returned to winning ways in the Joan Gamper Trophy last time out, however, with Messi and Neymar both on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory over Roma. We are entering a busy schedule for Barca, who will face Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup this Friday, before hosting the second leg on August 17. There are two trophies on offer for Barca over the next week.
Barca's La Liga defence will then begin away to Bilbao on August 23 as they prepare for three straight fixtures against the Basque outfit. Winning the treble last season was such an incredible achievement for everyone involved at the Camp Nou, but the bar has now been set. This season will be compared to last regardless of what the Spanish side achieve, which is the difficulty for Enrique.
As for Sevilla, they are also building towards the start of the new La Liga campaign. Emery's side will actually open the 2015-16 season when they travel to Malaga on August 21. Their second match is a tasty home fixture against Atletico Madrid, before they travel to Levante after the international break.
A little snippet of the atmosphere inside the stadium...
Calentamiento en el Dinamo Arena #Supercup #FCBSevilla #DRE4M #fcblive pic.twitter.com/iR1osopO00
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 11, 2015
Sevilla just missed out on qualification for the Champions League via their league position last season - eventually finishing fifth behind Valencia – but as winners of the Europa League, they automatically qualified for the group stages of the Champions League. It was another hugely successful season for Sevilla, who have shown that they can match the best teams in Europe. Can they match Barca tonight?
Sevilla have been slightly busier than Barcelona in pre-season, having played eight friendlies this summer. It has been a mixed bag in terms of results, with decent wins over Reims and Watford coupled with disappointing defeats to the likes of Werder Bremen and Brighton & Hove Albion. Fitness is the name of the game in pre-season, however, and Sevilla have certainly played a lot of football.
It has also been a very busy transfer market for Sevilla, with more than 20 players either arriving or departing. N'Zonzi, Iago Aspas, Kakuta, Mariano, Rami, Immobile, Krohn-Dehli and Yevhen Konoplyanka have all arrived at the Estadio Ramon, while Carlos Bacca and Aleix Vidal were the two high-profile departures. Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction ahead of kickoff here.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to look past Barcelona tonight. Sevilla will cause plenty of problems of their own, but whether they can contain Messi and Suarez with a patched-up defence is a question that I am struggling to answer. For me, just Barcelona. Let's say 2-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff, which is fast approaching. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside this impressive stadium.
Four Georgian children are signing 'Imagine' on the pitch at the moment. As you do, obviously.
I could be wrong, but I think they are miming. Either way, it is pleasant enough.
KICK OFF! Right, the handshakes have been completed and the flags have been exchanged. It is the 2015 European Super Cup and Sevilla are the team that get things underway here...
... as expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Iniesta and Busquets enjoying early touches of the ball. Sevilla have already dropped very deep here.
Sevilla have a free kick in a dangerous position as Mascherano brings Reyes to the ground just outside the Barcelona box. Is that not a red card? It was a last-man challenge from the Argentine there!
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Sevilla (Banega)
Good grief! Ter Stegen does not move as Banega curls a wonderful free kick into the top corner. Sensational technique from the Argentine and Barcelona are behind with three minutes played!
Barcelona now have a free kick in a dangerous position as Suarez is felled by Krychowiak...
... GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Sevilla (Messi)
Well then, anyone Banega can do, Messi can do better! The Argentine stands over the set piece and curls one into the top corner - almost an identical effort to the Sevilla goal. Incredible stuff!
So 10 minutes on the clock and quite a lot has happened! It has been the story of two free kicks thus far, with Banega and then Messi finding the back of the net. It is an incredibly open game at the moment as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third. What a treat in Georgia!
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Rakitic finds space down the right before delivering a super cross into Rafinha, but the midfielder just cannot connect and Sevilla restart with a throw-in.
The match has just settled following that incredible opening, but it is Barcelona that are in control of the possession. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight.
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for dissent. Barca have another free kick outside the box following a late challenge from Banega on Rakitic. Messi again to take here...
... GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla (Messi)
Shall we all pack up and go home now? How is Messi allowed to be this good? The Argentine stands over the set piece and whips his effort into the top corner. It is just stunning from Messi again.
Shall we just decide this game from a series of free kicks? All three goals have come from that avenue thus far and it seems a long time ago that Banega opened the scoring. It had to be Messi didn't it.
Sevilla are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Barcelona continue to dominate the ball, which is not too much of a surprise. There is a lack of width in the Barca team, but they are finding space down the middle. Sevilla need to be so careful with their fouls at the moment.
The referee has had a very busy opening 23 minutes here as the challenges continue to arrive. One yellow card has been issued, but I suspect we will see plenty more before the night is out!
Sevilla are obviously still very much in this game, but a third for Barcelona at this stage would make it very difficult for Emery's team to recover. The match has just settled in the last few minutes, but Barcelona are still very much in control of the possession. Messi has been the difference thus far.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Sevilla have managed to ease some of the pressure with a couple of long balls into Gameiro, who has been battling well.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net for a third time as Suarez converts a low cross from Mathieu, but the striker had just walked into an offside position.
Barcelona are without Neymar, but they are still totally in control of this game. Sevilla are finding it difficult to keep the ball at the moment with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
On second look, Suarez might well have been onside there. Perhaps should be 3-1 Barca.
Barcelona have another effort on goal as Alves breaks forward before firing one from outside the box, but Beto is on hand to make the save. Sevilla just cannot get going in the final third here.
Another ex-Sevilla man, Rakitic, tries his luck from distance, but his effort is wide of the post.
Banega tries his luck down the other end as Sevilla manage to gain a period of possession, but it was always a comfortable save for Ter Stegen. Still 2-1 Barca with 35 minutes on the clock here.
Iniesta has a low strike blocked as Barcelona continue to threaten a third goal.
This is like a training exercise for Barcelona at the moment as they continue to dominate possession in all areas of the field. At 2-1, Sevilla will always be in the game, but another goal for Barcelona would make it very complicated for Emery's team. Little over five minutes of the half to play here.
Sevilla's back four could do with a lot more protection here, but in this form, Barcelona are so difficult to stop. They are popping the ball around to confidently and look in complete control of matters.
CHANCE! Sevilla come close to levelling as Vitolo drives a super low cross towards Gameiro, but Alves just does enough to clear at the vital moment. Sevilla are still alive here!
If this were a boxing match, the referee might have stopped it already. However, Sevilla have just started to come back into it in the last few minutes, with Gameiro proving a strong target man.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Sevilla (Rafinha)
Suarez should have scored a third for Barcelona moments before, but the Uruguay international was denied by Beto. Suarez rescued the situation, however, and fed Rafinha, who could not miss!
Just the one minute of additional time here.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 3-1 Sevilla
Well, that is just about as good as it gets from Barcelona, who lead 3-1 at the interval. Sevilla opened the scoring through Banega after just three minutes, but a double from Messi and close-range Rafinha finish has left the Catalan outfit with a two-goal lead. What a first period of football here!
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had eight attempts - five of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have had six attempts, but hit the target just twice. Just the one yellow card to report, with Krychowiak booked for Sevilla early on.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening, with Sandro and Munir El-Haddadi joined by Pedro, who is widely expected to leave later this week. As for Sevilla, they have the likes of Immobile, Kakuta, Suarez and Konoplyanka in reserve tonight.
RESTART! Here we go then. Both sets of players return to the field for the second period. Can Sevilla find a route back into this match? It will be tough! Barca get the second half underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that Sevilla boss Emery will already be considering alterations here.
They are all at it for Barcelona at the moment as Mathieu breaks forward before combining with Messi, but the defender just cannot take the return in his stride and Sevilla manage to clear. Not too much to report in terms of Sevilla pressure in the early moments of the second period in Georgia.
Suarez fires just over the crossbar as Barca threaten a fourth.
Sevilla are so open to the counter attack at the moment as Barcelona again break into the final third, but Mathieu's low cross is cleared by Coke. Sevilla really need a sustained period of possession.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Sevilla (Suarez)
Suarez has terrorised Sevilla here and the striker scores a fourth for Barca after collecting a through pass from Busquets and finishing into the bottom corner. Terrible from Sevilla once again.
Sevilla have a half-chance as Krohn-Dehli finds space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of Ter Stegen's post. It is a case of how many for Barcelona as things stand here.
Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining here and I think it is safe to say that we will not be playing extra-time and beyond. Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-2 Sevilla (Reyes)
Game on?! Maybe! Sevilla cut the deficit to 4-2 as Reyes finishes from close range following a super cross from Vitolo. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in Georgia tonight.
Beto beats away a strike from Rakitic as Barca go searching for a fifth goal here.
Barcelona have a concern over Iniesta here as the midfielder goes down and stays there.
Another half-chance for Barcelona as Rakitic combines with Messi before attempting to meet the return pass, but Krychowiak just does enough to clear the danger. From the resulting corner, Rafinha comes close flicking a header over Beto, but the Sevilla goalkeeper manages to make the save.
BARCA SUB: Sergi Roberto replaces the injured Iniesta.
Barcelona have just regained control of the ball following Sevilla's second goal, which did come as a surprise. In truth, it is difficult to imagine that Barca will let this lead slip away this evening.
Still more than 20 minutes of football to play this evening and Sevilla will not give up. Tremoulinas again breaks down the left before delivering towards Gameiro, but Ter Stegen is out to claim.
SEVILLA SUB: Reyes is replaced by Konoplyanka, who comes on for his official debut.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes and it is not much of a surprise that the tempo has dropped. Both of these teams are still in pre-season mode.
PENALTY SEVILLA!
BOOKING! Sevilla are awarded a penalty and Mathieu (Barcelona) is booked as the French defender pulls Vitolo to the ground. What an opportunity to make it 4-3 here!
GOAL! Barcelona 4-3 Sevilla (Gameiro, pen)
Gameiro smashes his penalty past Ter Stegen and it is very much game on here!
Barcelona have been in control of this game for long spells, but Sevilla are now back in the match, which is just incredible. Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining and Sevilla have the ball.
SAVE! Beto beats away a low effort from Messi as Sevilla remain within one.
Marc Bartra is preparing to enter the field for Barcelona and it could be for Mathieu, who has not had a good second half. Sevilla fancy their chances of taking this one to extra-time, that's for sure.
CHANCE! Banega delivers a super free kick towards Coke, who cushions a cross towards Gameiro at the far post, but the striker just cannot make contact. So close to 4-4 here!
BARCA SUB: Bartra replaces Rafinha for Barcelona.
SEVILLA SUB: Immobile comes on for his official debut in place of Gameiro.
SEVILLA SUB: Sevilla quickly make another change as Mariano replaces Iborra.
You just get the feeling that there will be another twist in this match. At the moment, Sevilla are the team on the front foot and Barcelona are looking very nervous - oh how times can change!
GOAL! Barcelona 4-4 Sevilla (Konoplyanka)
Oh my word! Sevilla do indeed level the score at 4-4 as Immobile takes the ball away from Bartra before feeding Konoplyanka, who finishes from close range. Sensational night of football!
Sevilla look the team most likely to grab a winner as they continue to force the issue. What on earth has happened to Barcelona in this second period? They looked so comfortable at 4-1 ahead!
Both of these teams have defended pretty horribly this evening it must be said! Barcelona have just managed to secure a spell of possession, which is what they needed at this stage of the match.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances at the moment, but Sevilla have just started to retreat, which is inviting Barcelona. Just a reminder that extra-time will occur if we are level at 90.
BOOKING! Coke (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
CLOSE! Messi comes close to making it a hat-trick of free kicks as he whips another set piece towards the top corner, but it just moves over Beto's crossbar. So close - wow!
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for fouling Suarez, who was countering.
Messi free kick, can he...
... no he can't. Messi smashes his effort straight into the wall.
END OF 90 MINS: Barcelona 4-4 Sevilla
Good grief. How on earth did that happen? Sevilla recover from 4-1 down to level at 4-4 and take this match into extra-time. We have another 30 minutes of this incredible football game to come.
Barcelona had more than one hand on the trophy early in that second period, but somehow fell apart defensively as Sevilla responded. It has been one of the most dramatic matches you will ever see!
Barcelona get the first half of extra-time underway. More goals please!
Barcelona no longer look confident with possession in defensive areas as another loose pass puts Pique in trouble. It is incredible how this game turned in the final 30 minutes or so.
BOOKING! Immobile is booked for a tug on Mascherano.
BARCA SUB: Pedro is on for Mascherano here.
Well, Pedro is expected to leave Barcelona later this week, but he is on here!
BOOKING! Pedro (Barca) is booked for a late challenge on Banega.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in this first half of extra-time, with a number of challenges harming the flow. I think that this one will go all the way to a penalty shootout.
Pique takes a nasty whack from Immobile and has blood flowing from his face at the moment.
"Six referees and no-one saw that?" asks Pique, which the cameras picked up. Brilliant!
Barcelona have had most of the ball in the first half of extra-time, but neither side has come close to scoring, which is not too much of a surprise. There are plenty of tired legs out there now!
Barcelona have delivered a couple of crosses into the Sevilla box in the last few moments, but Beto has not been tested in the first half of extra-time. Still 4-4 in the European Super Cup.
There are plenty of tired legs out there as we approach the end of the first half.
Mariano fires a low strike into the arms of Ter Stegen following a Sevilla counter.
HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME: Barcelona 4-4 Sevilla
Both sets of players grab some fluid. It will be a quick turnaround for the second half.
We are back underway and Sevilla have started on the front foot here.
Immobile battles his way through two challenges before breaking into the Barcelona box, but Pique is across to clear the danger and we play on with 13 minutes remaining. Are we heading for pens?
Sevilla are very, very deep at the moment, which is inviting pressure from Barcelona. Mathieu breaks down the right before delivering a deep cross, but Beto is on hand to claim ahead of Suarez.
CHANCE! Just about the best chance of extra-time as Alves delivers a high cross towards Messi, but the Argentine's over-head kick is high of the crossbar. Still 4-4 in Georgia here.
Barcelona are on the front foot at the moment, but another corner from the left lacks quality and Sevilla manage to clear their lines. It does seem that we are heading for a shootout tonight.
Barca have a free kick just and I mean just outside the box as Mariano fells Messi...
... Messi strikes straight into the wall.
GOAL! Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (Pedro)
You just cannot write it can you? Messi manages to strike low towards the bottom corner, but Beto is on hand to make an excellent save. Pedro of all people, however, is on hand to fire home.
Pedro might be off to Manchester United after this match, but he has surely won the European Super Cup for Barcelona. What a story and possibly what a way to finish your career at Barcelona.
BOOKING! Busquets (Barca) is booked for a foul on Konoplyanka.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to level as Banega's floated free kick finds the head of Coke, but somehow his effort is wide of the post. What an incredible miss from the defender!
It is all kicking off here! The handbags are out as both sets of players clash!
BOOKINGS! Krohn-Dehli (Sevilla) and Alves (Barca) are both booked.
I am going to need a hot bath after this game.
One last chance for Sevilla...
... CHANCE! Rami has a stunning chance to level the scores after meeting an excellent low cross from Immobile, but his effort flies wide of the post. What on earth!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla
BARCELONA WIN THE 2015 EUROPEAN SUPER CUP!
What a game! Just unreal. Sevilla recover from 4-1 down to take the match into extra-time, before Barcelona win it late on with a goal from Pedro, who is expected to leave later this week. You just cannot write scripts like that. It is heartbreak for Sevilla, who gave so much in the second half.
My analysis and player ratings will be up on the site at some point in the next two hours, so be sure to look out for those! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Georgia. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
