Barcelona welcomed Sevilla to Camp Nou on Wednesday night for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
The hosts entered the match with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, which was secured courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez and Munir El-Haddadi at the Estadio Ramon.
Arda Turan made it 3-0 on aggregate in the 10th minute at Camp Nou and that was the score at the interval after Vicente Iborra missed a first-half penalty for Sevilla, who had plenty of chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Turan then grabbed his second of the night early in the second period to make it 4-0 Barcelona, before Messi added to the scoring in the 55th minute with a brilliant header to make it a comfortable night for the Catalans.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Sevilla for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Barca will enter the match as the strong favourites to land the trophy following a 2-0 win in the first leg on Sunday. It would be fair to say that Sevilla are up against it!
These two teams also clashed in the 2010 Spanish Super Cup and it was Barcelona that recorded a 5-3 aggregate victory to land the crown. On this occasion, Luis Enrique's side hold a 2-0 lead ahead of the second leg courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez and Munir El-Haddadi at the Estadio Ramon.
Barcelona are bidding to win this competition for a 12th time, but they have not lifted the trophy since 2013. Last year, they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao and it was Atletico Madrid that claimed the crown in 2014. Sevilla, on the other hand, have a sole success in this competition – beating Real Madrid over two legs of the 2007 final. Can they turn this tie around at Camp Nou?
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Who have Enrique and Jorge Sampaoli named in their starting sides for the second leg? Let's take a look shall we!
TEAMS!
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Gomes, Busquets, Denis; Munir, Messi, Turan
SEVILLA: Rico; Mariano, Mercado, Diego; Sarabia, Kranevitter, Iborra, Correa; Ganso; Konoplyanka, Ben Yedder
Enrique has made six changes to his XI from the first leg on Sunday night, with summer signings Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez all included in the selection. There is also a change in the final third as Munir replaces Luis Suarez, while Aleix Vidal comes in for Sergi Roberto at right-back. Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic have also dropped out - two changes are enforced though as Mathieu and Iniesta both picked up injuries in Seville.
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As for Sevilla, head coach Sampaoli has also rung the changes. Diego, Pablo Sarabia, Vicente Iborra, Joaquin Correa, Ganso, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Wissam Ben Yedder have all been handed starts, with Franco Vasquez, Vitolo, Luciano Vietto among those dropping to the bench. There are six summer signings in the Sevilla XI in a team that is very different from the one that ended last season!
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Spain. Incredibly, this second leg will not begin until 11pm local time, but luckily it is still the school holidays! If it goes to extra-time and beyond, this could well run into the early hours. Luckily, I do not have to be up very early tomorrow or I would be in a lot of trouble now.
I shall discuss Sevilla in the build-up to kickoff, but let's start with the home team Barcelona, who were unable to repeat their 2014-15 treble last season, but still managed to land La Liga and the Copa del Rey. They held off the challenge of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to win the league, before overcoming tonight's opponents Sevilla in the final of the Copa del Rey at the end of the campaign.
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Barcelona beat both Celtic and Leicester City during pre-season, but suffered a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool earlier this month. The Spanish giants then beat Sampdoria 3-2 in the Trofeo Joan Gamper, however, before recording a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon on Sunday night. It will take a bit of time for Enrique's side to fully find their feet as we enter the 2016-17 campaign.
The Catalan giants begin their La Liga title defence at home to Real Betis on Saturday, before travelling to Athletic Bilbao before the end of the month. Then comes the international break (boo), before matches against newly-promoted Deportivo Alaves and Leganes. On paper, it is a kind start for the champions, who are once again the favourites for the league title ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico.
Once again Barcelona will be expected to land both of their domestic trophies, while they will be looking for another Champions League crown. Last season, Enrique's side were eliminated by Atletico in the quarter-finals, but will surely be among the challenging teams this season. Can Neymar, Lionel Messi and Suarez continue their heroics in the final third? We shall see!
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As for Sevilla, the Europa League holders are under new management this season after Jorge Sampaoli replaced the popular figure of Unai Emery, who moved on to French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Sampaoli managed Chile between 2012 and 2016 and the 56-year-old is sure to excite with his colourful and sometimes controversial personality! It should be a lot of fun.
Sevilla have already missed out on the chance to land a trophy this season after losing 3-2 to Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on August 9. The Andalusian side were actually just minutes away from beating Los Blancos, but Sergio Ramos made it 2-2 in the 93rd minute, before Dani Carvajal scored a third for the Champions League holders in the 119th minute. It was tough on Sevilla!
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Sevilla might have won the Europa League last season and made the final of the Copa del Rey, but they finished seventh in La Liga, some 12 points off fourth-place Villarreal. Improvement in the league will be high on the agenda this term and the Red and Whites begin their La Liga challenge with a home match against Espanyol on Saturday night. Kickoff is just about 15 minutes away tonight!
It has been a busy summer in terms of transfers, with Franco Vasquez, Joaquin Correa, Ganso, Wissam Ben Yedder, Hiroshi Kiyotake, Gabriel Mercado, Pablo Sarabia, Luciano Vietto and Matias Kranevitter all arriving. Meanwhile, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Kevin Gameiro, Fernando Llorente, Coke, Ever Banega and Jose Antonio Reyes are among those that have left the Estadio Ramon in a big turnaround.
El #SevillaFC ya calienta en el Camp Nou #vamosmisevilla #Supercopa pic.twitter.com/TUsG2lWJZ5
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) August 17, 2016
A reminder of the two teams that will start tonight's match...
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Gomes, Busquets, Denis; Munir, Messi, Turan
SEVILLA: Rico; Mariano, Mercado, Diego; Sarabia, Kranevitter, Iborra, Correa; Ganso; Konoplyanka, Ben Yedder
It is also worth mentioning that Claudio Bravo is in the Barcelona team tonight despite a whole host of speculation linking the Chilean with a move to Manchester City. It is understood that Pep Guardiola wants the stopper to replace Joe Hart, but his inclusion for this match is big news. Right, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged in Barcelona!
KICKOFF! Sevilla get the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup underway...
... hardly a spare seat in the house tonight and it must be said that the atmosphere is brilliant. It is a nervy start from Sevilla goalkeeper Rico as the Spaniard is forced to kick into the stands under pressure from Turan, who has been given the task of operating alongside Munir and Messi in the final third.
Munir looks full of beans in the early stages and looks to release a strike after a smart pass from Messi, but the Spaniard had just moved into an offside position. Messi, with his new blonde hair, then looks to slide through Vidal, but the pass has too much weight and Sevilla have a goal-kick.
SAVE! Smart save from Bravo as the Barcelona goalkeeper gets down to push a Ben Yedder effort wide of the post. The first shot on target in this second leg comes from the visitors.
CHANCE! Vidal is forced to block from Ganso as Sevilla work a corner to the far post. Barcelona look a little bit shaky at the back as Correa hits the crossbar with a header from close range, but the flag had been raised for offside. Very positive start from Sevilla in this match.
SHOT! Mascherano has just tried to chip his own goalkeeper. Yes, you heard it. He has not actually meant it, at least I do not think so, but the Argentine has just leathered a back-pass towards Bravo and it went over the crossbar for a corner. Very sloppy from Barcelona at the moment.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla (Turan)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 10th minute as Messi slides a super pass into Turan and the Turkish international finishes into the opposite corner. Super goal from the champions here.
Sevilla will have been pleased with their start to this match, but Barcelona now lead 3-0 on aggregate and in truth, the tie is over, which is a shame for the neutrals among us!
Just a reminder that Barcelona are without the services of Neymar, who is currently in action for Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games. Indeed, the forward scored twice for his country earlier this afternoon to send them into the final with a 6-0 victory over Honduras. He will be back soon.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score a second as Vidal finds Messi with a brilliant cut-back, but the Argentine just drills his effort wide of Rico's left-hand post!
In fairness to Sevilla, they are committing players forward in this match, but Barcelona appear to have a lot of space down the other end and I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match. Neither side looks too sure at the back when put under severe pressure.
In truth, Sevilla are not going to turn this Spanish Super Cup around, but they will be keen to send out a message with a positive result. The Andalusian side will have hopes of a top-four finish this season and despite losing key players this summer, quality has been added to their first-team squad.
Messi produces another wonderful pass to find Turan unmarked inside the Sevilla box, but the Turk had just moved too soon and Sevilla can breathe! Munir was on hand for the simple tap-in there!
Gomes misses the post from just outside the box after another incisive Barcelona move.
Umtiti comes across to block from Konoplyanka as Sevilla look to hit back in this tie. The resulting corner is played short before Konoplyanka delivers, but Mascherano clears this time around.
Just a reminder that Barcelona open their La Liga campaign at home to Real Betis this weekend, while Sevilla host Espanyol. Both clubs are almost treating this match like a pre-season fixture at the moment as they try out new things in the final third of the field. Still 3-0 Barcelona on aggregate.
PENALTY SEVILLA!
BOOKING! Umtiti (Barcelona) is booked for handball inside the box and Sevilla have a spot kick here. The centre-back's arms were out to block the effort from Mariano, that is for sure!
MISS! Bravo dives to his right to keep out Iborra's penalty! Wow!
Much better from Sevilla as Sarabia cuts inside before releasing a strike, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. This is a much better contest at the moment - credit to the visitors.
This ginger-bearded player for Barcelona looks a little bit aggressive with some late challenges. Wait, that is Messi. Carry on. Not sure about the hair-do, but he is pretty good so I will allow it.
Denis Suarez has the chance to score a spectacular goal for Barcelona after meeting a deep cross from Digne, but the Spain international does not make proper contact and Sevilla can clear. It must be said that the opening 40 minutes of this match have flown past. It has been very watchable.
Messi spots Rico off his line and looks to beat the Spain number three from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 Barcelona on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.
Gomes has had a very productive first half in the middle of the Barcelona midfield and Rakitic will have a job to keep the Portugal international out of the first XI this season. That said, both could well start the campaign in the team due to Iniesta's injury. Digne has also been impressive.
CROSSBAR! Sevilla come close to hitting back in first-half stoppage time as Mercado meets a deep cross at the far post, but the centre-back's looping header hits the crossbar!
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Sevilla (3-0 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a 10th-minute effort from Arda Turan. Sevilla had the chance to draw level from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, but Vicente Iborra could not beat Claudio Bravo. As it stands, the home side lead 3-0 on aggregate and appear to be closing on a 13th Spanish Super Cup title.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have had five attempts, but just one of those - the goal - was on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their eight attempts in an impressive first period. Just the one booking - Umtiti for Barcelona in minute 32.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona boss Enrique has an embarrassment of riches on his bench tonight, with the likes of Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez all available if needed in the second period. Sevilla, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Kiyotake, N'Zonzi, Vasquez, Vietto and Vitolo.
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action at Camp Nou...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. Bravo has not raced off to join Man City at the interval, but that move is said to be close.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla (Turan)
Barcelona have their second of the night and it is Turan that completes his brace with a wonderful effort from distance. The Turkish international spotted Rico off his line and with the help of a deflection, managed to find the top corner over the head of the goalkeeper. Two for Turan tonight!
Barcelona are threatening to run riot here as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Sevilla want to attack, but they are leaving all sorts of room down the other end here.
With Neymar unavailable for this weekend's La Liga opener against Real Betis, will Turan be given a spot in the final third alongside Messi and Luis Suarez? He could not have done much more tonight. Barcelona continue to dominate possession here as they cruise towards a 13th Spanish Super Cup title.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Turan to complete his hat-trick after Messi finds the attacker with a super pass, but the Turkish international lifts his effort over from close range!
Half-chance for Sevilla as Konoplyanka cuts inside his full-back before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Still 4-0 Barcelona on aggregate here.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla (Messi)
Barcelona have their third of the night and fifth goal of this tie as Denis Suarez delivers a wonderful cross onto the head of Messi, who somehow angles his effort into the bottom corner past Rico.
SEVILLA SUB! Ganso is replaced by Vasquez for the visitors here.
Sevilla need to be careful that they do not take an absolute hiding tonight. That is the last thing that they need ahead of the new season, especially with the amount of signings that have arrived!
BARCELONA SUB! Jordi Alba replaces Digne in Barcelona's first change.
Alba delivers a brilliant cross into the Sevilla box after somehow stretching to meet a pass from Messi, but Mercado is on hand to make the clearance. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment as their team continues to struggle in the final third of the field.
SEVILLA SUB! Vitolo replaces Ben Yedder for the away team.
Free kick Barcelona in a dangerous position as Munir is felled by Kranevitter...
... Messi strikes the set piece straight into the wall.
Barcelona are just going through the motions at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Sevilla are still committing men forward, but gaps are present at the back and Barcelona do not exactly need a second invitation to score a fourth. Just about 22 to play here.
Messi fires over the crossbar from inside the Sevilla box as the visitors fail to clear their lines once again. Sevilla have really struggled defensively tonight and that will be a worry for Sampaoli.
Vitolo is forced to clear off his line after taking the ball away from his own goalkeeper when Messi had delivered another wonderful cross towards the far post. Munir then shows brilliant feet inside the box before looking to slide a pass into Messi, but Mercado is on hand to make the clearance.
SEVILLA SUB! Vietto replaces Correa for Sevilla.
BARCELONA SUBS! Rakitic and Samper replace Denis Suarez and Busquets.
SAVE! Rico is forced to get down and keep out a long-range strike from Rakitic as Barcelona look for a sixth goal in this two-legged affair. Munir actually recovers the loose ball and fires home from close range, but the whistle had been blown after the ball just went out for a goal-kick.
Sevilla have really struggled to threaten the Barcelona goal in the second period and the home side remain in control of the possession as we approach the final 10 minutes of this second leg.
Mascherano has a problem for Barcelona as he hits the deck and stays there.
Mascherano goes straight down the tunnel and Barcelona will finish this match with 10 men.
#Supercopa and chill. pic.twitter.com/cAXuG5TdmO — MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) August 17, 2016
Mariano races down the right for Sevilla and delivers a searching cross into the Barcelona box, but there are no takers and the home side can once again clear their lines towards Messi.
Sevilla continue to enjoy decent possession as Barcelona play on with 10 men, but Bravo is pretty comfortable between the sticks as we roll towards full-time here. I think Barcelona have done enough!
Turan delivers a brilliant cross into Alba, who heads over from close range. However, it would not have counted as the offside flag was raised. Turan has been brilliant for the home side tonight.
BOOKING! Vitolo (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Alba.
Vitolo needs to be very careful here as he once again brings down Alba and then looks to show some dissent to the referee. He probably should have seen red there, poor discipline!
BOOKING! Sarabia (Sevilla) is booked for grabbing Messi's shirt.
CLOSE! Messi just about misses the far corner after turning the Sevilla defence inside out. Messi has once again been sensational for Barcelona tonight!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla (Barcelona win 5-0 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Barcelona win the 2016 Spanish Super Cup with a 5-0 aggregate win over Sevilla, who struggled to match the Spanish champions. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join me this weekend for live coverage from the Premier League and La Liga. Until then!
