Barca Defeat Atletico Madrid To Lift Super Cup

[Folami David]

Barcelona lifted the first silverware of the Spanish season on away goals after a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the second- leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday night.
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Following the 1-1 draw in the first-leg, the Catalans were left to thank goalkeeper Victor Valdes for preserving their advantage as he pulled off incredible saves from Arda Turan and David Villa either side of halftime.
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Barca should have then sealed victory on the night themselves as after Filipe Luis was sent off for Atleti, Lionel Messi fired a late penalty off the bar.
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Barca boss Gerardo Martino had handed a first start to Neymar as the Brazilian and Lionel Messi lined up for the first time in a competitive match since the former's switch from Santos.
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And with the South American duo in attack, Barca started brightly as Messi was just denied by a last ditch challenge by Luis and Alexis Sanchez fired wide from Jordi Alba's dangerous cross.
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Having weathered the early storm though, Atleti then started to gain a foothold and had the two best openings of the opening period.
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Firstly Koke failed to connect properly when he was teed up at the edge of the box allowing Valdes to save easily before the Barca keeper made a stunning save to turn behind Arda's sweetly struck volley.
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Valdes was called upon again after the break as he parried Villa's curling effort from the edge of the area as Atleti went in search of the away goal they needed to stay alive in the tie.