Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona: 100th El Classico win for Madrid as they reach Super Cup finals
Real Madrid booked their ticket to the Spanish Super Cup final courtesy of a 3-2 win over Barcelona – their fifth straight, and 100th El Clasico victory at the King Fahd stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Real got off to the perfect start in the 248th meeting between Spain’s two most decorated clubs when Vinicius Junior rounded off a counter and rifled in his 15th goal of the season past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Benzema dispossessed Sergio Busquets on halfway and released Vinicius down the left channel, where he raced clear of Ronald Araujo and powered a shot in at the near post.
Barcelona ended a one-sided first half performance as Eder Militao’s clearance fell to Luuk de Jong. The Dutchman levelled the contest in freakish circumstances as Militao’s defensive clearance cannoned off him.
Karim Benzema looked to have sent Madrid through to the final when the 23rd goal of his stellar season restored their lead , but back came Barca for a second time as Ansu Fati’s glancing header forced extra-time.
Substitute Federico Valverde restored Madrid’s lead for a third time eight minutes into the first period of extra-time, and there was no way back for Barca as their spirited resistance came up short and Real claimed a landmark 100th El Clasico victory over their eternal rivals.
Real Madrid will face the winners of Thursday’s semi-final between La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up Athletic Bilbao in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with kick-off 6.30pm.
