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Barcelona Take Part In Their First Penalty Shoot-Out Since 1998 And It's Blowing People's Minds

Barcelona Take Part In Their First Penalty Shoot-Out Since 1998 And It's Blowing People's Minds

It's been 23 years but they finally took part in one.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Barcelona secured a place in the Supercopa de Espana final on Wednesday night after beating Real Sociedad in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Talented playmaker Riqui Puig scored the decisive spot-kick for Ronald Koeman's side as the Catalan giants scraped through to the final; where they will play the winners of tonight's clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

The result was far from surprising for many, but the fact it was Barca's first penalty shoot-out since 1998 did baffle plenty of people on social media.


To put this crazy stat into perspective, Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig [21] wasn't even born when the club last took part in a penalty shoot-out; a win over Real Mallorca in the Copa del Rey

Barcelona started the game well and deservedly took the lead through Frenkie de Jong in the 39th minute.

Sociedad soon found a way back into the game through Mikel Oyarzabal, who levelled from the spot after De Jong handled in the area.

The teams could not be seperated in normal time and, in a tense shoot-out, Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre-ter Stegen managed to save Socidead's first two spot-kicks from Jon Bautista and Oyarzabal.

That man Riqui Puig then stepped up to score the winning penalty as Antoine Griezmann thanked the 21-year-old for saving his bacon following his miss from the spot.

After the full-time whistle, Puig said he was desperate to take the final spot-kick to help his side progress to the final.

"There were four names and a blank space," said Puig in relation to the spot-kick takers. "I was the first to say that I wanted to take it. I had it very clear, with a lot of desire to shoot and be able to score a goal with the first team.

"I've never lost my smile. I'm a pretty happy kid, that even though I don't play things are going very well for me. I have family, health and I can't complain at all.

"If Ronald gives me minutes I will be grateful and take advantage of it. If not, I'll continue working. I'll never throw in the towel, not after so many years at the club, knowing how much it has cost me to get to the first team.

"Now that I'm here I'm not going to throw it away."

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Topics: Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Penalty