Barca has clinched their fourth Iberian Super Cup title in a nail-biting penalty shootout against Sporting Lisbon! The match, held in Matosinhos, was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending 35-34 (13-15) after a 31-31 draw.
Ortega's Tactics Pay Off
Coach Carlos Ortega warned that Barca wouldn't always win, but they defied the odds once again. Sporting Lisbon looked set to claim their first title, leading 29-31 with less than two minutes remaining. However, a late surge led by Mem and N'Guessan tied the game, forcing the dramatic penalty shootout.
Without Petar Cikusa, Barca adopted a conservative approach, relying heavily on N'Guessan and Mem. A tactical switch in the second half saw Barca attacking with two pivots, Frade and Fabregas, and Janc playing between the wing and the first line. While a seven-against-six strategy didn't pay off, Barrufet's stellar performance proved crucial.
Hallgrimsson's Heroics
New signing Viktor Hallgrimsson proved to be the hero, saving Carlos Álvarez's final penalty to secure the victory. This marks Barca's second title of the season, following their Supercopa de Catalunya win against Fraikin Granollers. The revamped Barca 2025-26 squad, featuring seven new faces, continues to impress.
- The match was evenly contested, with both teams showcasing their quality.
- Barca trailed for much of the game, going into halftime down 13-15.
- Mem, N'Guessan, and Barrufet were instrumental in Barca's comeback.
- Nielsen saved the first penalty for Barca, while Hallgrimsson saved the decisive one.
Despite Gómez missing the first penalty, Barrufet, Dani Fernández, Elderaa, and Mem all converted to secure the win. Barca has now won all four editions of the Iberian Super Cup, defeating Porto twice and Sporting Lisbon twice.