Barcelona triumphed over their rivals, Real Madrid, with a resounding 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup Clasico final held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. This win marks the first trophy for Barcelona under manager Hansi Flick.
Barcelona’s impressive performance helped them secure a record-extending 15th Spanish Super Cup title.
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Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid an early lead. However, Barcelona responded with five goals before their goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, received a red card in the second half.
Real Madrid aimed to avenge their 4-0 home loss against Barcelona in La Liga back in October. Instead, they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of their rivals in Jeddah.
Following Mbappe’s opening goal, Lamine Yamal equalised for Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski then put Barcelona ahead with a penalty kick. Raphinha scored twice, and Alejandro Balde also found the net.
Rodrygo Goes managed to score a free-kick for Real Madrid, but they couldn’t capitalise on their numerical advantage after Szczesny’s sending-off. The defeat was a humbling experience for the European champions.
“I think today is a good day because we beat one of the best teams in the world, for the second time this season, Real Madrid, and this is unbelievable. We won a title here and we are really happy… today is a day to look positively at this team,” Flick said after the match.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti attributed the heavy defeat to his team’s defensive shortcomings.
“We defended badly and that cost us the game — they found their goals quite easily. We’re sad, like all our fans, it’s disappointing and we don’t have to hide that… we have to look forwards, there’s nothing else we can do,” Ancelotti said.
Despite Barcelona’s strong start, Real Madrid took the lead in the fifth minute. Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant counter-attack goal.
The French forward, who had been frustrated by offside calls in the previous league defeat against Barcelona, broke free after Vinicius Jr. won possession. He then sprinted into the penalty area and chipped the ball past Szczesny.
Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old winger, scored a stunning individual goal to level the score. He cut in from the right and placed a low shot inside the near post, reminiscent of Lionel Messi.
Barcelona continued to press forward and took the lead with a penalty kick converted by Robert Lewandowski. The penalty was awarded after Eduardo Camavinga’s late and reckless challenge on Gavi.
Raphinha extended Barcelona’s lead with a header from Jules Kounde’s cross. Barcelona then scored their fourth goal before halftime on a counter-attack. Yamal and Raphinha combined, and Raphinha set up Alejandro Balde, who calmly slotted the ball past Thibaut Courtois.
Barcelona maintained their momentum in the second half. Raphinha scored their fifth goal with a skillful dribble and finish after being played in by Marc Casado.
Barcelona was reduced to 10 men when Mbappe was brought down outside the penalty area by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Mbappe had rounded Szczesny, and after a VAR review, the goalkeeper was sent off.
Rodrygo, who had earlier hit the post, converted the resulting free-kick past Szczesny’s replacement, Inaki Pena.
Mbappe created a chance for Jude Bellingham, but the English midfielder’s shot was blocked by a superb challenge from Jules Kounde in stoppage time.
Mbappe also came close to scoring again with a fine individual effort, but his shot was saved by Inaki Pena.
