There were just four minutes left of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final when Ansu Fati came on for Raphinha. Just 13 minutes and nine interventions in the game later and his glorious left-footed volley had Barça back in the lead against Real Betis.
It's nothing new to see Ansu have an impact coming off the bench. His very first goal was scored just five minutes after entering the field against Osasuna in August 2019. And of the 24 goals that he scored to date for Barça, ten (41%) have been as a substitute, including six of his last seven.
Important goals
Ansu Fati is finally approaching his best after suffering a series of injury woes. This season has scored five goals and given three assists, so he is already well on course to beat his personal record of eight goals and one assist in 2019/20.
And he tends to score the goals that matter. 18 of his 24 goals have been Barça's first or second in a game. He's the man you need to break the deadlock. And the Spanish Super Cup seems to have a habit of bringing out the best in the youngster, who last season equalised late on against Real Madrid, sending the semi-final into extra time.