Suarez stars in Barca's Supercopa de Catalunya win over Espanyol
Luis Suarez played a key role as Barcelona claimed the Supercopa de Catalunya over Espanyol on Wednesday with a 4-2 penalty shootout triumph following its 1-1 draw.
Suarez, who returned to action following his four-month ban for biting in Saturday's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid and set up the opening goal for Neymar in the Santiago Bernabeu, started in a strong Barca line-up and provided the stand-out moment in a hard-fought encounter in Girona.
The former Liverpool striker made the opening goal for Gerard Pique after 15 minutes. After turning inside his marker in the area, Suarez produced a sublime bit of skill to scoop the ball up to Pique at the far post and the Spain international headed into an empty net.
Suarez was withdrawn at the break, along with captain-for-the-night Pedro, Jordi Alba and Adriano, and Espanyol hit back almost instantly, Anaitz Arbilla planting a fine free-kick past Barca goalkeeper Jordi Masip. Masip ensured the game went to spot-kicks with a wonderful save to keep out Abraham's volley deep into stoppage time.
Sandro missed for Barcelona but Xavi, Alen Halilovic, Alex Grimaldo and Ivan Rakitic scored, while Arbilla and Abraham failed for Espanyol to hand the Blaugrana the trophy.
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