Barça's Spanish Super Cup Quest: Bilbao Stands in the Way as Madrid Duel Looms
7 January 2026
Barça's Spanish Super Cup dominance continues
Barcelona arrives at the Spanish Super Cup in high spirits as the defending champions and the competition's most decorated side.
They face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final, held in Saudi Arabia, with the final pitting the winner against Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in a final that could go down to the wire.
The event is broadcast exclusively through the Eight app, the Saudi Pro League rights holder, according to reports.
Facts and context
Opta statistics place Barça on 15 Spanish Super Cup titles, the most by any club.
Under the current format, Barcelona has won two of six editions; the last defending champion did so between 2009 and 2011 under Pep Guardiola.
The published lineups for Barça and Bilbao mix veterans and youngsters, signaling a high-quality match to come. Barcelona’s attack is led by Rafinha and Yamal, supported by a solid defensive spine including Garcia, Koundé, Balde, and teammates ready to press Bilbao high.
Bilbao rely on a competitive mix in goal and defense, prepared to test Barcelona’s control with Unai Simón in goal and a stubborn backline.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time, with the semi-final serving as the prelude to a Saudi-hosted final between the semi-final winner and the winner of Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid.
In short, Barça’s path to a new trophy is lined with history and pressure—but hey, pressure makes diamonds, or at least shiny new silverware.
Two light jokes to end: If football were a café, Barça would own the espresso machine—always brewing more trophies. And if suspense had a mascot, it would be wearing blaugrana and sprinting toward the extra time whistle.
