Barcelona substitute Pedro scored deep into extra time to secure the European Super Cup with a 5-4 win over Sevilla in a thriller after they surrendered a three-goal lead in Tbilisi.
Barcelona player Pedro Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Unsettled Pedro had said in the build-up to the game that he wanted to leave the club but he came on, as he did in 2009, to win the trophy, pouncing on a rebound from a Lionel Messi shot.
Barca's fifth triumph in the competition, which means they have now won four trophies this year, moved them level with AC Milan on the all-time UEFA Super Cup winners list.
The Super Cup is contested between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League in a traditional opener to the European season.
"For the fans it was a great spectacle and something rarely seen," said Barc defender Javier Mascherano.
"Aside from the win though we feel frustrated as we had gone ahead and were in control but let it slip. I am happy with the win but there is a lot to improve on."
Ever Banega had given Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a free-kick after three minutes but Messi stamped his mark on the game with stunning free-kicks after seven and 16 minutes.
The Argentine's double for the Champions League holders means he is again joint-top scorer in European competition with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on 80 goals.
Rafinha slotted home a Luis Suarez pass just before the break and the Uruguayan scored himself after the restart having been found by Sergio Busquets to put Barca firmly in command.
Sevilla, though, fought back with goals from Jose Antonio Reyes, after 57 minutes, and Kevin Gameiro, with a penalty in the 72nd, before Yevhen Konoplyanka equalised with 10 minutes left to force the game into extra time.
Pedro fired the winner into the roof of the net from close range with five minutes left as Barca stayed on track to win six trophies this calendar year on the back of last season's treble.
