Barca set up clasico Spanish Super Cup final with shootout win against Betis in Riyadh

Catalans face Real Madrid on Sunday desperate for silverware

Barcelona midfielder Pedri celebrates scoring the winning penalty in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final shootout victory against Real Betis at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 12, 2023. AFP

Barca striker Robert Lewandowski was successful with his penalty in the shootout. AFP

Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saves the third penalty from Juanmi of Real Betis. Getty

Real Betis' Loren Moron celebrates levelling at 2-2 in extra time. Getty

Barcelona's Ansu Fati celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters

Real Betis midfielder Andres Guardado (r) remonstrates with Spanish referee Carlos de Cerro Grande after receiving a second yellow card. AFP

Real Betis' Nabil Fekir celebrates levelling at 1-1 William Carvalho. Reuters

Nabil Fekir after scoring for Real Betis. AP

Robert Lewandowski (r) celebrates with Ousmane Dembele after putting Barca ahead in the first half. AP

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. Reuters

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong in action against Real Betis' Guido Rodriguez. Reuters

Real Betis' Spanish forward Aitor Ruibal battles with Barca's French forward Ousmane Dembele. AFP

Barca forward Raphinha is challenged by Juan Miranda. AFP

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini. Reuters

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski takes a shot. AFP

Barca defender Jordi Alba falls next to Betis' Luiz Henrique. AFP

Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved twice from the spot to help Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw on Thursday, setting up a clasico Spanish Super Cup final.

The Catalans will face their bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday after Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Valencia on penalties on Wednesday.

Barcelona needed spot-kicks to see off Betis after an entertaining draw over 120 minutes at Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium.

Robert Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead after 40 minutes but Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir levelled with 13 minutes remaining.

Ansu Fati smashed in a fine volley to put Barcelona ahead in extra-time but Loren Moron pulled Betis back level with a cunning back-heel flick.

Ter Stegen denied Juanmi and William Carvalho in the shootout and Pedri converted the decisive spot-kick.

"(The final) will be a very nice game, everyone wants to see these type of games and we'll be delighted to play it and win it," Ter Stegen told Movistar.

The goalkeeper made some fine saves even before the shootout, where he was key.

"I would like to have less work in games," Ter Stegen added, acknowledging that he was back to his best.

"For a year I've been at a very good level personally, physically, it's the work too - every day I have a spectacular team that helps me improve and think about how to get better."

Barcelona have not won the Spanish Super Cup since the change to a four-team format, with the first Saudi Arabia edition taking place in 2020.

After finishing last season without a single trophy and investing heavily in the summer despite the club's debts, Xavi and his team are desperate for silverware.

Although winning the Super Cup will not be enough in itself, it would be a step in the right direction and Xavi's first trophy since arriving in November 2021.

Pedri had an early strike disallowed for offside as the Catalans started well, but Betis soon found their comfort zone, inspired by the artistry of Fekir and dynamism of Luiz Henrique.

However, Lewandowski, who missed the win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday through suspension and was far from his best, broke the deadlock shortly before the break.

The Polish forward's first effort was blocked but he brought the ball under control again and managed to beat Claudio Bravo at the near post.

Ter Stegen made saves from Rodri and Henrique to keep Barcelona ahead, on a busy night for the German goalkeeper.

Fekir eventually levelled in the 77th minute after clever footwork from Henrique, who set him up, and the French midfielder drilled past Ter Stegen at his near post to force extra-time.

Three minutes into the additional period, Fati produced a piece of magic to put Barcelona back in front with a volley from the edge of the box.

It didn't last long, with Betis striking through Moron's clever effort, backheeled past Ter Stegen despite close attention from Ronald Araujo.

Veteran Betis midfielder Andres Guardardo was sent off late in extra-time for two yellow cards, but Barcelona did not have long enough to capitalise before penalties.