FC Barcelona advanced to the final of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup in a stellar performance for Hansi Flick's team, especially for Raphinha. The Brazilian was the MVP of the match after providing the assist for the second Barça goal, scored by Fermín López, and scoring the brace that sealed the blaugrana 'five-star' performance in Jeddah against Athletic (5-0)

Barça was a true steamroller in the first 38 minutes, scoring four goals that shattered any attempt at a comeback from an Athletic side whose resistance barely lasted 20 minutes. Rapha participated in three of the team's goals, easily beating Jesús Areso in a one-on-one on the left.

Rapha warned in the 5th minute with a low cross that Roony Bardghji narrowly missed connecting to score against Unai Simón. In the 30th minute, with the Catalan team already leading by a goal from Ferran Torres in the 22nd, the Brazilian repeated the formula, this time with a cross that found Fermín free to score with one touch.

Raphinha reaches 9 goals for the season and recovers his best form

Raphinha celebrating his first goal against Athletic (5-0).

Roony scored the third in the 34th minute and, four minutes later, the Swede set up Raphinha on the left. Despite having a narrow angle to shoot from, **the '11' cut inside onto his left foot, outpacing Areso** to unleash a left-footed shot that beat Unai Simón at the near post.

After the break, in the 52nd minute, the 28-year-old winger took advantage of another pass from Bardghji, this time with some luck, to cap off a period of total siege by Barça in the opponent's box with a strike that left the Bilbao goalkeeper helpless.

Hansi Flick substituted Marcus Rashford in the 65th minute, with the match already completely decided. With his brace against Athletic, Raphinha has reached 9 goals and 4 assists in 16 games this season.

The Porto Alegre native missed two months of competition due to a thigh injury (including a relapse) in his right thigh. It wasn't until December that he gradually returned to competitive rhythm, and now he seems to have fully recovered his best form at an ideal time: as Barça stands on the verge of defining the season's first title.

"Easy game? We make it easy"

Regarding the thrashing against Athletic, Rapha pointed out in a post-match interview for 'Movistar' that the team's assertiveness was the key to leaving no chances for a rival as tough as the Basques."I think we make the game easy ourselves. When we're playing well, the game becomes easier. That shows we're prepared no matter who plays. The quality of the team," the Brazilian began.

In that regard, he added: "Roony came in very well and Fermín has returned very well. Now we have to focus on ourselves, whoever wins the next semifinal. We are prepared for whoever comes (Madrid or Atlético)".Regarding his recovery in recent matches, he stated: "I will never say I am at my best level because I will keep looking and trying to have an almost perfect season."

Raphinha's records against Athletic

  1. Minutes played: 65
  2. Goals: 2
  3. Assists: 1
  4. Chances created: 1
  5. Passes completed: 37 of 41 (90%)
  6. Duels won: 2 of 5 (40%)
  7. Dribbles: 5 of 8 (63%)
  8. Defensive actions: 3
  9. Recoveries: 1
  10. Shots on target: 2 of 3 (67%)
  11. Fouls suffered: 1