Pedro polishes off Barcelona's blitz
Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez celebrates scoring the winning goal in Wednesday’s 54 UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla. Ivan Sekretarev / Associated Press |
Extra-time winner wipes out brilliant comeback by Sevilla and clinches another crown for Spanish giant
Barcelona substitute Pedro scored deep into extra time to secure the European Super Cup with a 5-4 win over Sevilla in a thriller on Tuesday after it surrendered a three-goal lead in Tbilisi.
Barca said before the game that Pedro wanted to leave the club but the 28-year-old came on to win the trophy, just as he did in 2009, pouncing on a rebound from a Lionel Messi shot.
Messi had himself scored a double with two stunning early free kicks while Rafinha and Luis Suarez also netted for the Catalans, who led 4-1 with just over half an hour left.
Barca's fifth triumph in the competition, which means it has now won four trophies this year, moved it level with AC Milan on the all-time UEFA Super Cup winners' list.
"I got the goal but it was down to the work of the team and I am happy with the win," said Pedro.
"When you know you may leave it is difficult. I was angry about not starting the game but as always I tried to be professional and go out and help."
Ever Banega had given Europa League winner Sevilla the lead with a free kick after three minutes but Messi stamped his mark on the game with stunning free kicks after seven and 16 minutes.
The Argentine's double for the Champions League holder means he is again joint record scorer in European competitions with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo at 80 goals.
Rafinha slotted home a Luis Suarez pass just before the break and the Uruguayan scored himself after the restart, having been found by Sergio Busquets to put Barca firmly in command.
Sevilla, though, fought 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 left to force the extra time.
"We went out looking to be creative and to cause danger," Sevilla coach Unai Emery said.
"To get to European finals you need to earn respect and so attack the opposition, which is what we did.
"I don't think that we got the reward we deserved from the game. We had clear chances at the end and Barca was looking worried."
With Neymar out due to mumps, Barca coach Luis Enrique chose Rafinha ahead of Pedro in attack but three minutes into extra time the Canary Islander got his chance and made the most of it.
Pedro fired the winner into the roof of the net from close range with five minutes left as Barca stayed on track to win six trophies this calendar year on the back of last season's treble.