Barcelona Set Up El Clasico Clash Against Rivals Real Madrid In The Spanish Super Cup Final.

Barcelona defeats Real Betis via penalties on Thursday night, to set up a ‘Clasico’ Spanish Super Cup final with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

A neutral ground, King Fahd Stadium in Saudi Arabia which hosted the Supercopa de España    last four, saw Real Madrid booked their place in the final on Wednesday night, after eliminating Valencia 4-3 on penalties.

Karim Benzema's penalty had put the European and La Liga champions ahead in the 39th minute, but Samuel Lino levelled just after half-time to make it 1-1.

Madrid won the shootout 4-3, as Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio each converted their penalty kicks successfully.

While Edinson Cavani, Ilaix Moriba and Hugo Guillamon scored from the spot for Valencia, it was Eray Comert miss and Thibaut Courtois saving Jose Gaya's effort, caused Valencia to be eliminated from the competition.

Thursday night, was a repeat of the previous night’s semi-final game, as Barcelona started on the front foot with Raphinha causing problems down the right.

That changed when Pedri's 23rd minute goal was ruled out by the VAR for an offside in the build-up, they started to lose ground to Betis.

Xavi Hernandez men finally managed to break the deadlock, when Ousmane Dembele burst forward in a fine individual effort before he passed the ball to Robert Lewandowski, who beat goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from close range to score the opener in the 40th minute.

Betis returned in the second half to stage a comeback, pressing Barcelona up-front, and Nabil Fekir slotted in a low shot just inside the far post in the 77th minute after being set-up by Luiz Henrique to make it 1-1.

Lewandowski thought he had put Barca back in front with a strike three minutes later but VAR again ruled-out the goal for an offside in the build-up and the match went into 30 minutes extra time.

Substitute Ansu Fati scored a stunning volley in extra time to restore Barca's lead in the 93rd minute, but Betis fought back again and equalised thanks to another fine effort from Luiz Henrique, whose cross was brilliantly finished by substitute Loren Moron just inside the six-yard-box in 118 minute to force a shootout after 120 minutes of football action.

A penalty shootout decided the winning team after regular time and extra time ended in a 2-2 draw.

It was Marc-André ter Stegen, who shined on the night through his penalty heroics to send Barça through.

Pedri scored the winning kick after ter Stegen had saved from Juanmi and William Carvalho's poorly-struck spot kicks.

The victory over Los Verdiblancos, now gives Xavi the chance to lift his first trophy of his tenure as Barca's boss, just 90-minutes away.

"It was a beautiful match, one of those the fans show up to watch," Ter Stegen said after the match. "I'm very proud of myself. I think since last year I've been going through a great moment in my career and in my life.

"It was a very difficult match mainly after the break because they dominated possession and made it really though for us. They were superior in the midfield, had control of the match and we had to fight really hard to advance."

The Blaugrana side will face holders, and arch-rivals Real Madrid in the first El Classico of the season on Sunday in Riyadh.

Barça could move two titles clear of Real Madrid (14-12), but if they lose, then the both will be tied on 13-13.