Barcelona delivered a stunning performance to claim their 15th Spanish Super Cup title, overpowering Real Madrid 5-2 in a thrilling Clasico showdown at King Abdullah Sports City, Saudi Arabia.
Despite Real Madrid entering the match as favorites, Kylian Mbappe lit up the opening stages with a dazzling solo effort, sprinting from midfield to slot past Wojciech Szczesny for the opener. Barcelona responded emphatically, with 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal equalizing in the 22nd minute after a precise assist from Robert Lewandowski.
The game turned decisively in Barcelona’s favor before halftime, with Hansi Flick’s men displaying clinical finishing. Lewandowski converted a penalty after Gavi was brought down, followed by a powerful header from Raphinha. The Brazilian winger then set up Alex Balde for Barcelona’s fourth, scored deep into first-half stoppage time.
Raphinha added his second just three minutes into the second half, bringing his season tally to 19 goals. However, the match wasn’t without drama. Szczesny, making just his third appearance for Barcelona, was shown a red card in the 56th minute for a foul on Mbappe outside the box. Rodrygo curled in the resulting free-kick, sparking hopes of a Real Madrid comeback, but the Catalans held firm.
The victory marks Barcelona’s second consecutive goal-laden Clasico under Flick, following a 4-0 La Liga win in October. It also secured the German manager his first trophy since winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2020-21.
Real Madrid’s form made the result all the more surprising. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were riding high with five consecutive wins and had not tasted defeat since early December. Meanwhile, Barcelona had struggled in La Liga, with only one win in their last seven matches, leaving them five points behind their fierce rivals in the table.
This latest victory continues a recent pattern in Clasico Super Cups, with Barcelona claiming a 3-1 win in 2023 and Real taking the title with a 4-1 triumph in 2022.
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