Barcelona are closing in on the Spanish Supercup title after beating Sevilla 0-2 in the first leg. With several players missing, local coach Jorge Sampaoli had to cobble together a makeshift defence, and he gave a run out to five of his new signings, with three more coming on as substitutes. Barça were without Neymar, currently participating in the Olympic Games, but Luis Suárez and Messi were back, and only a good save by Sergio Rico prevented Suárez from scoring early on. It was a hard fought match, the visitors losing Mathieu and Iniesta to injuries before the break, and Escudero limping off for the home side soon after the restart. However with his replacement still waiting to come on the Catalans took advantage to go ahead, Luis Suárez steering a shot past the keeper after Arda Turan chested back a long centre from Denis Suárez. After that Rico had to be at his best to keep out Messi and Sergi Roberto, but with ten minutes to go Messi slotted the ball through for substitute Munir to make it two. Sevilla had no reply, and the Andalusians look like missing out again having lost the European Supercup to Real Madrid only a few days ago. (14.08.16)