Barcelona Spanish Super Cup shoot-out hero Marc-Andre ter Stegen 'in a great moment'

Barcelona goalkeeper's heroics in penalty shoot-out against Real Betis sets up showdown against Real Madrid

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 could not hide his pride as the Barcelona goalkeeper proved the penalty shoot-out hero against Real Betis in Thursday's Spanish Super Cup semi-final.

Ter Stegen saved Juanmi's and William Carvalho's poorly-struck spot kicks to give Barcelona a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Betis after the teams had finished level at 2-2 following extra time in an exhilarating match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Barca set up a dream showpiece clash on Sunday with Real Madrid, who had also beaten Valencia on penalties earlier in the week.

The final takes place in Riyadh on Sunday.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper was Barcelona's hero as he made a series of outstanding saves during a match before his shoot-out heroics.

"It was a beautiful match, one of those the fans show up to watch," Ter Stegen told Movistar Plus.

"I’m very proud of myself. I think since last year I’ve been going through a great moment in my career and in my life.

"It was a very difficult match mainly after the break because they dominated possession and made it really though for us. They were superior in the midfield, had control of the match and we had to fight really hard to advance."

Real beat Valencia on penalties

Barcelona started well but once Pedri's 23rd minute goal was ruled out by the VAR for an offside in the build-up, they started to lose ground to Betis.

After two outstanding reflex saves by Ter Stegen blocked Luiz Henrique and Rodri's bullet-like shots, Ousmane Dembele burst forward in a fine individual effort before he passed the ball to Robert Lewandowski, who beat goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from close range to score the opener.

Betis came back in the second half, pressing Barcelona up-front, and Fekir slotted in a low shot just inside the far post in the 77th minute after being set-up by Luiz Henrique.

Lewandowski thought he had put Barca back in-front with a strike three minutes later but VAR again ruled-out the goal for an offside in the build-up and the match went into extra time.

Ansu Fati put Barcelona back in front, finishing off a stunning move from just inside the area, but Betis fought back again and equalised thanks to another fine effort from Luiz Henrique, whose cross was brilliantly finished by substitute Loren Moron with a heel-kick from just inside the six-yard-box.

Barcelona did not put a foot wrong in the shootout while Betis were left ruing the penalty misses by Juanmi and Carvalho.