Real Madrid's players celebrate after a goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Federico Valverde scored in extra time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 win over Barcelona on Wednesday for its 100th victory over its storied rival and a spot in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona twice equalized in regular time but couldn't recover after Valverde scored from close range on a breakaway eight minutes into extra time.
Defending Super Cup champion Athletic Bilbao will face Spanish league champion Atlético Madrid in the other semifinal Thursday.
The Spanish Super Cup is being played in Saudi Arabia again after the coronavirus pandemic transferred last year's edition back to Spain. The competition was moved to Saudi Arabia - and expanded from two to four teams in a 'œFinal Four'ť format - as part of a deal reportedly worth 30 million euros ($34 million) a year until 2029.
The changes drew criticism from human rights activists and complaints from fans who preferred the competition stayed in Spain. Among those complaining was Athletic midfielder Raúl GarcÃa, who said this week it made 'œno sense'ť to play the games away from Spain.
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Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in action to score by Barcelona's Ronald Araujo during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after he scored during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Barcelona's players celebrate a goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Barcelona's players celebrate a goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Real Madrid's players celebrate after a goal during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema shoots by Barcelona's Dani Alves during the Spanish Super Cup semi final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
The Associated Press