Barcelona delivered an emphatic 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in a dramatic Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia, overturning an early deficit to secure their 15th title in the competition’s history.
The match, held at King Abdullah Sports City, was packed with incident and showcased stunning individual performances. Real Madrid struck first when Kylian Mbappé produced a scintillating solo goal, darting from midfield and finishing past Wojciech Szczesny to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side a 1-0 lead.
Barcelona, however, quickly equalized in the 22nd minute through teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who slotted home a precise finish from Robert Lewandowski’s assist. Yamal’s goal set the stage for a flurry of attacking brilliance from Hansi Flick’s men.
Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead with a composed penalty after Gavi was fouled in the box. Three minutes later, Raphinha extended the lead with a powerful header, and the Brazilian capped off a stellar half by assisting Alex Balde’s goal deep into first-half stoppage time. Barca went into the break with a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Raphinha added his second and Barcelona’s fifth just three minutes into the second half, taking his tally for the season to 19 goals. However, controversy struck in the 56th minute when Szczesny, making only his third appearance for Barcelona, was sent off for a foul on Mbappé outside the penalty area.
Rodrygo capitalized on the ensuing free-kick, curling a superb shot past substitute goalkeeper Iñaki Peña to reduce the deficit. Despite Real Madrid’s best efforts, they could not mount a significant comeback, and Barcelona held firm to claim the trophy.
The victory marked Hansi Flick’s first silverware as Barcelona manager, adding a positive note to an otherwise inconsistent season. Barcelona has struggled in La Liga, winning just one of their last seven matches and trailing Real Madrid by five points in the table.
“This was an important win for us,” Flick said post-match. “Not only is it a trophy, but it also shows what we are capable of when we play at our best.”
Real Madrid, who came into the final on a five-game winning streak, appeared shell-shocked by Barcelona’s ruthlessness. Ancelotti admitted, “We weren’t prepared for their intensity. It’s a disappointing result, but we’ll bounce back.”
The triumph also highlighted Raphinha’s vital role in Barcelona’s attack, while Lewandowski continued his prolific form, netting his 26th goal of the season. The match marked the third consecutive Clasico Super Cup final, with Barcelona reclaiming bragging rights after Real’s 4-1 win in 2024.
While the Spanish Super Cup is often considered a minor title, the victory signals Barcelona’s determination to regain momentum and continue challenging their rivals on multiple fronts.
