Suarez, Munir put Barcelona ahead in the first leg of Spanish Super Cup final

Luis Suarez enroute to his goal against Sevilla. Twitter
Luis Suarez enroute to his goal against Sevilla. Twitter

Internet Desk: Luis Suarez and Munir El Haddadi ensured Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 in the opening leg of the Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) but the victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan came at a cost of Barcelona.

Following a sensational return of 59 goals from 53 club matches last term, Suarez was soon back on the goal trail with a 54th-minute opener. Munir was the first non-enforced substitution made by Luis Enrique and, amid his ongoing search for attacking reinforcements, the Barcelona boss was given a timely reminder of the 20-year-old’s quality.

Attempts by Luis Enrique’s team to settle were dealt a blow when Mathieu made way with an apparent hamstring injury, allowing fellow Frenchman Lucas Digne to come on for his debut at left-back.

Iniesta was then on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Mariano and, with the Barca captain failing to overcome a heavy blow to his right knee, Denis Suarez followed Digne in making an earlier-than-planned debut in the 36th minute of a bruising first half for LaLiga’s champions.

The participation of club icon Iniesta and defender Mathieu in Wednesday’s second leg at Camp Nou could now be in doubt, but their team-mates will at last take a healthy advantage into that encounter.

Rico’s impeccable positioning came to Sevilla’s aid four minutes after the break when Luis Suarez glanced a beautifully flighted cross from his namesake Denis goalwards and the same two players were involved when Barcelona broke the deadlock.

Denis Suarez was allowed space to pick a pass into the area once more, where Arda Turan pivoted to cleverly chest the ball into Luis Suarez’s path for a typically clinical finish. The goal shifted Barcelona into gear and Rico’s reactions were at their best to claw a dinked finish from Messi to safety before the Sevilla goalkeeper denied Sergi Roberto at the near post in the 64th minute.

Messi linked effectively with the right-back on that occasion and the mercurial Argentine made light of Iniesta’s absence by masterfully holding up play, gliding through midfield and threading a perfect pass for Munir to prod past the on-rushing Rico as Sevilla’s earlier verve faded from view.