The Barcelona team reached the final of the Spanish Super Cup with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia.
Young players Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, without Dani Olmo after his playing permit was revoked, into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.
Spain international Olmo was cleared to play again ahead of Wednesday's game, but the decision came too late for him or Pau Victor, who is in the same position, to feature against Copa del Rey winners Athletic.
Gavi put Barcelona ahead on 17 minutes and young winger Yamal scored the second after the break.
Spanish and European champions Real Madrid will face champions Mallorca on Thursday in the second semi-final.
“We don't care (who we will meet last). It's going to be difficult and we want to win, that's what's important, and go home with the trophy,” Yamal told Movistar after the match.
Barcelona, who finished as runners-up in LaLiga, started well and Raphinha latched onto the ball from Jules Kounde and forced Unai Simon to make a good save with a free-kick.
It came as no surprise when the Catalans made a breakthrough when Alejandro Balde cut the ball in behind Gavi, playing in the middle for Olmo, to head home.
The 20-year-old pointed to an imaginary clock in his celebration, a nod to Olmo, who always makes the same look after scoring.
At the other end, Inaki Williams played the ball too long as Athletic's first-half lead was broken.
Yamal, 17, could have added Barcelona's second after Raphinha's shot was saved but he was forced to try.
Wojciech Szczesny, on his second start for Barcelona,
Barcelona extended their lead early in the second half when Gavi slid in Yamal who finished with aplomb.
“Athletic is a very strong team that makes you run very fast. We struggled the most at the end, but we managed to play well, and we are very happy,” added Yamal.
Former Poland striker Robert Lewandowski wasted a third-time extra chance, shooting the target well-placed.
Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as Barcelona boss after losing at the same stadium in 2020, brought in Nico Williams to try and change the game.
The Spain international, heavily linked with Barcelona in the summer, was not fit enough to start, but did well from the bench.
The winner set up Oscar de Marcos to score, but the Athletic defender went astray and the goal was missed.
Inaki Williams also had a goal ruled out for offside after Frenkie de Jong's misdirected cross was narrowly deflected by Alvaro Djalo for Ghana.
Barcelona got their victory and waited for their rivals in the final Sunday, when Olmo will be allowed to participate.