Ten-Man Barcelona Overpowers Real Madrid to Reclaim Spanish Super Cup
Barcelona claimed the Spanish Super Cup with a resounding 5-2 victory over their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, at King Abdullah Sports City. The match, filled with drama and intensity, saw Barcelona make history by scoring at least four goals in consecutive Clasicos for the first time ever.
The evening began with Real Madrid in the driver’s seat, as Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring just five minutes in, showcasing his incredible skill with a brilliant solo effort. However, the tide quickly turned. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal leveled the score in the 22nd minute, darting into the box and finishing with finesse.
As the first half progressed, Barcelona seized control of the match. Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty in the 36th minute after Gavi was fouled, putting Barcelona ahead. Just three minutes later, Raphinha scored, heading home a superb pass from Jules Koundé. Alejandro Balde then added a fourth goal just before halftime, leaving Real Madrid reeling at 4-1.
The second half brought further drama when Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, was sent off for a foul on Mbappé, leaving the Catalan side with ten men. Real Madrid capitalized on the situation, with Rodrygo scoring a stunning free kick in the 60th minute, narrowing the score to 5-2.
Despite their efforts, it was Barcelona’s night. Raphinha, who played a crucial role with two goals, was named Man of the Match, reflecting his outstanding form this season. With this victory, Barcelona not only reclaimed the Supercopa but also sent a strong message to their rivals, having scored a total of nine goals against Real Madrid in two encounters this season.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, faced a reality check. After winning the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup earlier in the season, this defeat marks a significant setback. Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior struggled to find their rhythm, and the team’s defensive frailties were exposed by Barcelona’s quick transitions.
Looking ahead, both teams will shift focus to the Copa del Rey, with Real Madrid set to face Celta Vigo and Barcelona taking on Real Betis.
