Supercopa de España 2018: Barcelona Triumphs Over Sevilla in Tangier
The 2018 Supercopa de España marked a historic shift in the tradition of the Spanish Super Cup. As the 35th edition of this annual competition, the event brought together the champions of La Liga (the top professional football division in Spain) and the Copa del Rey (the primary knockout cup competition in Spanish football).
The match featured a high-stakes rematch of the 2018 Copa del Rey Final, pitting FC Barcelona—winners of both the league and the cup—against Sevilla, who entered the match as the Copa del Rey runners-up.
Breaking from all previous editions, the 2018 trophy was decided by a single match held at a neutral venue rather than a two-legged tie. The chosen location was the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, bringing Spanish football to an international stage.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Winner: Barcelona (2–1)
- Date: 12 August 2018
- Venue: Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
- Attendance: 40,000 spectators
- Broadcasting: Aired on RTVE's La 1 with 4,785,000 viewers (36.5% share)
- Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande
Match Analysis and Results
The contest began with an early advantage for Sevilla. In the 9th minute, Pablo Sarabia found the back of the net, giving the Andalusian side a 1–0 lead and putting Barcelona on the defensive.
Barcelona responded with persistence, eventually equalizing in the 42nd minute through a goal by Gerard Piqué. The deadlock remained until the 78th minute, when Ousmane Dembélé scored the decisive goal to secure a 2–1 victory for the Catalan giants.
The match saw several tactical substitutions, with Barcelona bringing on players like Ivan Rakitić and Philippe Coutinho to maintain control, while Sevilla attempted to regain momentum with the introduction of Wissam Ben Yedder and André Silva.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Match Summary Table
| Detail | Sevilla | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 1 | 2 |
| Goal Scorers | Sarabia (9') | Piqué (42'), Dembélé (78') |
| Manager | Pablo Machín | Ernesto Valverde |
| Captain | Sergio Escudero | Lionel Messi |
| Key Substitutions | W. Ben Yedder, A. Silva | I. Rakitić, P. Coutinho |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the 2018 Supercopa de España held?
The match took place at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco, which has a total capacity of 65,000.
Why did Sevilla play in the match if Barcelona won both major trophies?
Since Barcelona won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, Sevilla qualified for the Supercopa as the runners-up of the Copa del Rey.
Who scored the winning goal for Barcelona?
Ousmane Dembélé scored the winning goal in the 78th minute of the match.
How many people watched the match on television?
The match was broadcast on the Spanish public network La 1, attracting an average of 4,785,000 viewers with a 36.5% audience share.
Was the 2018 format different from previous years?
Yes, unlike all previous editions which were played over two legs, the 2018 edition was a single match hosted at a neutral venue.