Barca won the European Super Cup

Barca players rejoice on the podium.

Result: Barca 2-0 Porto

Goals: Messi 39′, Fabregas 88′

Watch the clip of Messi opening the score.

Fabregas sealed the victory for Barca.

Watch the clip of Barca receiving the European Super Cup.

10 years after becoming teammates at Barca’s training facility, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas worked together to win again.

“Messi often makes special passes and goals,” Fabregas assessed after the match.

With success at the European Super Cup, Pep Guardiola became the coach with the most titles at Barca (12) within 4 seasons.

As reported many days before the match, coach Guardiola was unable to use the centre-back pair Gerard Pique – Carles Puyol.

Porto, the defending Europa League champion, also fielded the strongest possible squad in the Super Cup match.

Despite having fewer stars, Porto entered the game better than the defending Champions League champions.

In the 7th minute, Moutinho curled a shot with his right foot, forcing goalkeeper Victor Valdes out of reach to save.

Like a copy of Barca, Porto often uses many short passes, combined with wall breaks to break through from the midfield.

From midway through the first half, Barca began to regain their position in the game.

Messi passes the ball past Porto’s Otamendi.

The opening goal helped Messi complete his collection of goals in every major arena.

When the match entered the second half, Porto started strongly, forcing Valdes to save twice.

Goalkeeper Helton also had to work hard when the match entered the 57th minute. He flew out of range to push away Villa’s low shot.

Worried about the slim difference, coach Guardiola decided to send rookie Alexis Sanchez onto the field to replace Villa from the 61st minute. In the 80th minute, Guardiola decided to withdraw a striker (Pedro) and put Fabregas on the field.

Fabregas was tested playing in attack in Monday’s 5-0 friendly win over Napoli (the Spanish midfielder was the opener).

“Cesc is a very, very good player,” coach Guardiola praised after the match.

Porto started brightly but ended the match very poorly.

Squad:

Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, Eric Abidal, Adriano (Sergio Busquets, 63), Xavi Hernandez, Seydou Keita, Andres Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez (Cesc Fabregas, 80), Lionel Messi, David Villa (Alexis Sanchez, 61

FC Porto: Helton, Cristian Sapunaru, Rolando, Nicolas Otamendi, Jorge Fucile, Freddy Guarin, Joao Moutinho, Souza (Fernando, 77), Cristian Rodriguez (Silvestre Varela, 69), Hulk, Kleber (Fernando Belluschi, 77).

Thuy Duong