In a match that lived up to the chaotic nature of recent clásicos, Barcelona emerged as clear victors, securing a remarkable 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. The match, played 5,000km away in Jeddah, saw Barcelona play with two goalkeepers, ending with Marc-André ter Stegen lifting the trophy despite being sidelined with injury.
The game began in dramatic fashion with Real Madrid taking the lead early. Kylian Mbappé scored a stunning goal just five minutes into the match, a well-executed counter-attack, taking advantage of a Barcelona corner. However, Barcelona quickly responded and dominated possession, seeing 82% of the ball by the 20th minute. Lamine Yamal, who proved a constant menace, equalized for Barcelona with a composed finish, a sign of the 17-year-old’s growing talent.
Barcelona’s pressure led to a penalty when Eduardo Camavinga fouled Gavi in the area, and Robert Lewandowski converted the spot kick. Minutes later, a precise diagonal from Jules Koundé set up Raphinha, whose header doubled Barcelona’s lead. The momentum continued to shift towards Barcelona as they scored again in additional time, taking advantage of a sloppy corner by Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha played a key role in the counterattack, with Balde finishing off the play.
The second half began with Barcelona already 4-1 up, and they would add a fifth goal soon after. Raphinha beat Aurélien Tchouaméni to score from close range, and despite Wojciech Szczęsny’s sending off for a foul on Mbappé, the game was firmly in Barcelona’s hands. Iñaki Peña, who replaced Szczęsny, could do little as Real Madrid’s late efforts failed to breach Barcelona’s defense.
The final score of 5-2 highlighted Barcelona’s dominance and control over the match. Despite some brief moments of danger from Real Madrid, the absence of a coherent plan left them unable to mount any significant challenge. This clásico was a testament to Barcelona’s superiority and their thorough understanding of how to exploit Real Madrid’s weaknesses. Barcelona secured a deserved victory, leaving no doubts about their skill and tactical superiority.
For further insights into Barcelona’s successful performance in the Spanish Super Cup, visit UEFA’s official football page.
