Suarez, Munir on Target as Barcelona Edge Sevilla in Spanish Super Cup

Suarez, Munir on Target as Barcelona Edge Sevilla in Spanish Super Cup

Second-half goals from Luis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi ensured Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 in the opening leg of the Supercopa de Espana, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Sunday night.

But victory came at a cost as Barca’s captain, Andres Iniesta and Jeremy Mathieu were forced to exit the game in the first-half after picking up injuries.

Sevilla, who pushed Real Madrid to extra-time in the European Super Cup days ago, took the game to Barcelona with high pressing and lots of early running, although goalkeeper Sergio Rico had to react quickly to deny Suarez in the seventh minute.

Rico came to the rescue for Sevilla again four minutes after the restart when his impeccable positioning saw him deal with Luis Suarez’ beautifully glanced header after a flighted cross from substitute Denis Suarez. This same duo were involved in Barca’s breakthrough goal.

Denis Suarez was allowed space to loft a ball into the area once more, where Arda Turan laid off for Luis Suarez with a chest down for the Uruguay striker to blast home from.

The goal opened things up for the Catalans, and Rico’s reaction was at its best to claw a dinked finish from Messi to safety, before the Sevilla goalkeeper had to bend low to deny Sergi Roberto at the near post in the 64th minute following a Messi pass.

The Argentine talisman rose to the occasion in the second period, masterfully holding up play, gliding through midfield and threading a perfect pass for Munir to stroke past the on-rushing Rico.

This leaves Jorge Sampaoli’s men with a mountain to climb in Wednesday’s return leg at the Camp Nou.