Barcelona routs Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in Spanish Super Cup semis while Yamal watches

JEDDAH, Saudi Araba (AP) — Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona routed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Hansi Flick’s team overpowered their Basque rivals by scoring four times in the first half while Barcelona star Lamine Yamal watched from the bench.

Ferran Torres swatted in a missed shot by Fermín López to start the demolition in the 23rd minute at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.

Fermín curled in a pass by Raphinha in the 30th and Roony Bardghji squirted a strike under Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón four minutes later.

Raphinha poured it on with a blistering strike to beat Simón in the 38th before the Brazil forward rounded off the big win in the 52nd.

“We made the game look easy. When we are playing well the game becomes easier to play,” Raphinha said. “We are focused on ourselves and ready to play whoever wins the other semifinal.”

Raphinha missed six weeks due to injury earlier this season but has been playing in the same fine form as last season since his return in early December. His goals and leadership were crucial to Barcelona winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey as well as the Spanish Super Cup last campaign.

Yamal went on against Athletic as a late substitute. He should be fresh for Sunday’s final against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, which play their semifinal Thursday.

Spain forward Nico Williams remained on Athletic’s bench for the entire match. Williams has been nagged by a groin strain this season.

“This is a tough loss,” Simón said. “When you concede five goals you can’t point to any single player. It means the entire team didn’t play well.”

Barcelona is currently leading La Liga. Athletic is eighth and vying for a European berth.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Athletic Club Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Barcelona's Pedri controls the ball during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Athletic Club Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Barcelona's Pedri controls the ball during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Athletic Club Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Barcelona players celebrate after scoring the fifth goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Athletic Club Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Barcelona players celebrate after scoring the second goal during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal soccer match against Athletic Club Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Two-time All-Pro cornerback and 2019 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, who last played in 2024, has announced his retirement.

Gilmore issued an Instagram post Thursday that showed video highlights of his career and closed with the message, “The game ends here, but the journey continues.”

“To my first love, Football — As a young, scrappy kid from Rock Hill, South Carolina, with humble beginnings, the eldest of 6 — you gave me focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime,” Gilmore said in the post. “From my first game with Finley Road Falcons to two Super Bowls, multiple Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, you taught me the invaluable lesson of working hard and believing in myself.”

Gilmore also thanked his wife and kids “for making it possible for me to chase my dreams” and his parents “for raising me to be the man I am today.”

The 35-year-old Gilmore was the defensive player of the year and had a league-leading six interceptions in 2019 with the New England Patriots. He also earned All-Pro honors in 2018 during a Super Bowl championship season with the Patriots.

He had 32 interceptions and was selected to five Pro Bowls during a 13-year career that included stints with the Buffalo Bills (2012-16), Patriots (2017-20), Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024). The Bills selected Gilmore out of South Carolina with the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

FILE - Carolina Panthers' Stephon Gilmore runs after an interception against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Nov. 7, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore (5) talks with cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) before an NFL football game, in Indianapolis, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore (5) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

FILE - Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) celebrates with his teammates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 16, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

FILE - Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)