![image_2024_08_11T13_31_46_838Z](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/sportsinfo/media/media_files/DPUksHihALbx8mxxIuct.png)
Nine years ago, today Barcelona defeated Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup as the game was thriller. As the game went into extra-time Barcelona substitute came as a hero for the club as Barcelona beat Sevilla by a score of 5-4 in Tbilisi. However, Barcelona were the favourite to win the cup.
Before Lionel Messi took advantage of both of his free-kick opportunities, Sevilla took the lead thanks to a goal from another Argentine, Ever Banega, in the third minute. On both occasions, he curled inch-perfect tries inside the right post, giving Barcelona the lead and eliminating any opportunity for Sevilla's Portuguese goalkeeper Beto.
In his 586 career games, Messi had never scored twice on a free kick in an official contest until this performance.
Watch here the video:
🇦🇷😍 9 YEARS AGO TODAY: Lionel Messi scored 2 free-kicks against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/xwA7GyEztC
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 11, 2024
In the 52nd minute, Suarez scored after Sevilla defender Benoit Tremoulinas misdirected a ball. The ball was given away by the French left-back to Sergio Busquets, who substituted in for Luis Suarez to provide a serene finish. But it was almost immediately cancelled out when Vitolo's cross was headed home by Jose Antonio Reyes, who was unmarked, as he sprinted in at the far post.
Pedro won the UEFA Super Cup for Barcelona
Sevilla, on the other hand, came back with goals from Jose Antonio Reyes after 57 minutes and Kevin Gameiro with a penalty in the 72nd, before Yevhen Konoplyanka equalized with 10 minutes remaining to force extra time. Surprisingly, Sevilla tied things up in the 81st minute with new acquisition Yevhen Konoplyanka making it 4-4.
Pedro scored the game's winning goal in the 115th minute after coming off the bench for Barcelona in extra-time. After Messi's follow-through attempt was stopped by Beto, and his subsequent free kick was blocked by the wall, he finished from the doorstep on a rebound. Adil Rami, a defender for Sevilla, lost a clear opportunity to send the game to penalties in the last seconds of extra time.