Barcelona successfully defended their Spanish Super Cup title after a gripping 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in a high-intensity El Clasico showdown held in Saudi Arabia. The final delivered goals drama and late tension as the Catalan giants lifted the trophy for a record-extending 16th time.
Raphinha was the standout performer for Barcelona scoring twice while Robert Lewandowski also found the net. Despite a late red card for Frenkie de Jong Barcelona held firm to secure another major title under head coach Hansi Flick marking the fourth trophy of his tenure so far.
The match began at a measured pace in Jeddah with Barcelona controlling possession and Real Madrid opting for a compact defensive setup while seeking counterattacks through Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian winger broke his scoring drought with a brilliant solo effort to cancel out Raphinha’s opener late in the first half.
Barcelona regained the lead through Lewandowski after a clever finish but Madrid struck back before halftime as Gonzalo Garcia converted after the ball rebounded off the crossbar. The teams went into the break level setting up a tense second half.
The decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute when Raphinha unleashed a long-range strike that deflected past Thibaut Courtois. Real Madrid pushed hard for an equaliser and introduced Kylian Mbappe late on but failed to convert their chances despite having a numerical advantage after De Jong’s dismissal.
The win extended Barcelona’s impressive run of form as they continue to lead La Liga and build momentum for the rest of the season. For Real Madrid the defeat ended a five-match winning streak and added pressure as they continue their search for silverware this campaign.