Benzema finds the net
Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to do battle in the first of the two Supercopa de Espana semi-finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday night. Los Blancos enter the tie 17 points ahead of the Blaugrana in LaLiga Santander, although this one-off affair is the perfect opportunity for Xavi Hernandez's side to turn a corner and demonstrate the progress made under their new coach. Stay with us for all the build-up to Barcelona vs Real Madrid and then updates from the match itself.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid - LIVE SCORE: 2-2
This is the start of our Barcelona vs Real Madrid live blog, with updates from this Supercopa de Espana semi-final fixture following on from here. As always, the entries nearest the top are the most recent ones.
Minute 83: Ansu Fati levels!
A corner comes back out to Jordi Alba whose cross is met by Ansu Fati, and the youngster finds the bottom corner with a header.
Minute 72: Benzema scores!
Ter Stegen denies Benzema with a fine save, but the ball falls to Carvajal who crosses it back in for the Frenchman who, at the second attempt, makes no mistake from close range.
Minute 69: Benzema hits the post!
Benzema twists and turns in the box before firing a left-footed shot towards the far corner but it hits the post!
Minute 54: Dembele fires just wide
Barcelona have started the second half much the better side. Dembele this time goes close with a left-footed volley.
Minute 49: Pedri goes close
Pedri turns smartly on the edge of the box before firing a fine strike towards the bottom corner but it goes just wide.
Minute 46: Pedri and Abde on for Barcelona
Pedri and Abde enter the field for Barcelona, with Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres making way.
HALF TIME
Real Madrid have been the better side so far but Barcelona go into the break on level terms, as De Jong's fortuitous goal cancels out Vinicius' opener.
Minute 41: De Jong equalises!
Luuk de Jong levels for Barcelona, albeit in fortuitous fashion. Dembele's cross is met by Militao but the clearance is blocked by the Dutchman and the ball makes its way into the next via the post.
Minute 30: De Jong heads on target
Luuk de Jong makes good connection with a header but it lacks direction and Courtois comfortably gathers.
Minute 25: Vinicius scores!
Benzema feeds Vinicius and the Brazilian makes no mistake with the finish. His left-footed strike goes beyond Ter Stegen to give Los Blancos the lead.
Minute 19: Asensio goes close!
A breakaway led by Vinicius stretches the Barcelona backline but Asensio can only guide his effort just wide of the far post. Real Madrid are getting closer.
Minute 13: Vinicius effort easily saved
Vinicius gets in behind, although closely tracked by Araujo, but his tame effort is comfortably gathered by Ter Stegen.
Minute 8: Asensio fires over
Asensio tries his luck from outside the box but it flies over Ter Stegen's bar.
KICK OFF
We're underway in Riyadh, with Barcelona and Real Madrid battling for a place in the Supercopa de Espana final.
Barcelona's confirmed starting XI: Ferran makes debut
Ferran Torres makes his debut for Barcelona in their Supercopa de Espana semi-final clash with rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Barcelona's confirmed starting XI: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Luuk de Jong.
Real Madrid's confirmed starting XI: Alaba misses out
Carlo Ancelotti has named his starting line-up against Barcelona, with the big news being that David Alaba misses out through a knock. Elsewhere, Asensio has been preferred to Rodrygo on the right wing.
Real Madrid's starting XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema.
16:30 GMT: Xavi talks up Real Madrid
Xavi Hernandez feels Real Madrid are currently the strongest team in Spain, while he feels his Barcelona side are still a work in progress.
"I see a Barcelona [side] under construction and a [Real] Madrid [side] in a very good shape, but that doesn't mean anything," he said at his press conference.
"We have faced them in all situations. It will not be easy to impose our game because they are the most in-form team in Spain."
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Predicted line-ups
Ferran Torres and Pedri are set to join up with the rest of their Barcelona teammates, while Ansu Fati has also recovered from injury. Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo have also travelled with the team, but Sergi Roberto, Eric Garcia and Martin Braithwaite are out through injuries.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti can count on all but two of his players, as Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz will both miss out on the Clasico between the two LaLiga Santander giants.
Barcelona's predicted line-up (4-3-3): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Nico Gonzalez, Sergio Busquets, Gavi; Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong, Memphis Depay.
Real Madrid's predicted line-up (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius.
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