La Liga champions FC Barcelona crushed Copa del Rey runners-up Sevilla FC, 3-0, in the second leg of their 2016 Supercopa de España encounter at the Camp Nou on Wednesday to win the Super Cup via a 5-0 victory on aggregate.
Turkish midfielder Arda Turan, who filled-in for resident striker Luis Suárez and was utilized by head coach Luis Enrique as a forward only in this specific match against the Sevillistas, led the Catalonia giants with a brace.
Meanwhile, five-time Ballon d'Or winner and team leader Lionel Messi headed a goal at the 55th to seal the win for the back-to-back La Liga and Copa de Rey winners.
Turan normally played behind the attacking trio of Messi, Suárez, and Neymar but was given the opportunity to start as the lead central striker, temporarily replacing the Uruguayan, who is rested in preparation for Barça's domestic season-opener against Real Betis on Saturday.
He proved his versatility to be a scorer and a playmaker as he netted the opening goal of the contest at the 10th minute after receiving a customary trick pass from Messi, as per Goal. His second goal came one minute after the restart with a long range shot that volleyed over the top of Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico's head.
It was little Messi, however, who had the final say in the match as he put the icing on the cake with a surprising header winner nine minutes later.
Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who is rumored to be on his way to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month, also had a great game pushing through with a clean sheet with remarkable saves throughout the contest.
Meanwhile, Coach Enrique lashed at football officials "over match scheduling", saying that "it makes no sense" to have these kind of significant matches so close to the domestic league opening, via Four Four Two.
"When there is a winner of the league and cup, I do not understand why it is played," Enrique said. "For me it makes no sense, and now I have to say we won. We have had very few days to prepare for the match, but last year was worse, with the UEFA Super Cup two days before having to go to San Mames."
"Football is a wonderful sport and it cannot be stuck in the past. If the authorities are not willing to evolve, it is one giant s***," he added with expletives.
The Supercopa series had cost Barça three casualties due to injuries, namely team captain Andres Iniesta (knee), defender Jeremy Mathieu (hamstring), and midfielder Javier Mascherano (hamstring), who are all part of the starting XI.