Barcelo claim dramatic 5-4 Super Cup win over Sevilla

Tbilisi (Georgia), August 12: FC Barcelo’s striker Pedro Rodriguez scored an injury time winning goal in what could be his last appearance for the club to help the Spanish football giants claim the European Super Cup in a thrilling 5-4 triumph against Sevilla.

Pedro is widely expected to join English club Manchester United in the coming days, but he was fastest off the mark to score from close range with just five minutes remaining in a game, which either side could have won after a dramatic 120 minutes of play, here on Tuesday.

The game had looked to be in Barcelo’ s pocket when striker Luis Suarez put them 4-1 up early in the second half, but fellow Spanish side Sevilla produced a heroic fightback to take the game into extra time only for Pedro’s goal to give Barcelo victory.

Barcelo coach Luis Enrique opted to start with midfielder Rafinha in the side ahead of Pedro Rodriguez but saw how his side fell behind after just three minutes after midfielder Ever Banega curled in a free kick for Sevilla after just three minutes.

The Argentine coolly stroked the ball home from the edge of the Barcelo pelty area, but the score was level just three minutes later when star striker Lionel Messi produced a carbon copy of Banega’s goal at the other end of the pitch after Suarez had been fouled.

He put Barcelo ahead with another majestic free kick just 10 minutes later, sending a 25-meter shot into the corner of the net.

Barcelo domited the game and Suarez set up Rafinha for Barcelo’s third goal just before the break following a swift counter-attack after a Sevilla corner.

Suarez got his goal early in the second half after a poor pass from the Sevilla defence allowed him to convert a simple scoring chance.

Forward Jose Antonio Reyes pulled a goal back for Sevilla in the 58th minute, scoring from close range following a cross from the left wing, while another left wing cross saw Barcelo defender Jeremy Matthieu commit a pelty. Midfielder Gameiro slammed home with 18 minutes remaining.

Sevilla were level with nine minutes remaining after an error from defender Marc Bartra allowed winger Yevhen Konoplyanka to slide home from close range to make it 4-4.

Pedro then decided the outcome of the match when he slotted home from close range following a Messi free-kick. (IANS)