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| Barcelona won the Super Cup by beating Real Madrid 5-2 in the final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday night (January 12) | Photo: FCB |
Barcelona reclaimed the Spanish Super Cup title after defeating arch-rivals Real Madrid in another El Clasico. Hansi Flick's side won 5-2 in the final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday night. Also extending their record for most trophies won by winning their 15th trophy.
Last October, Barcelona won the first Clasico of the season in La Liga, winning 4-0 with four second-half goals.
This time, Barcelona overcame the initial shock of falling behind and took control of the match by scoring four goals in the first half. They scored another goal early in the second half to make the scoreline 5-1. Shortly after, after their goalkeeper Wojciech Stanisław was sent off, Real could only reduce the margin of defeat with a goal from Rodrygo.
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| Leva-Rafiniad goal celebration | Photo: Barcelona web |
In the last Clasico, Barcelona's four goals were scored by the three attacking stars Robert Lewandowski, Rafinha and Lamine Yamal. This time, all three of these players found the net again. Rafinha scored a brace, and Lewandowski, Yamal, and Alejandro Balde scored one each.
This is the first time in their history that Barcelona has scored at least four goals in two consecutive Clasicos in all competitions. This is the first time something like this has happened in a Clasico since Real Madrid (5-1 and 4-0) in 1963.
Barcelona lost 4-1 to Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup last season in Saudi Arabia. This time, they took sweet revenge by crushing the Madrid team.
Barcelona created the first chance in the second minute at King Abdullah Sports City. Real was saved by Thibaut Courtois's skill. The Belgian goalkeeper thwarted Yamal's left-footed shot from outside the box. He also blocked Rafinha's header from close range from Gavi in the fourth minute.
Real took the lead in the next minute with a wonderful goal from Mbappe from their first attack. The French forward took Vinicius Junior's pass from midfield. He avoided defender Balde's obstacles entered the box and beat the goalkeeper.
Despite being caught offside eight times by Barcelona's 'highline' defense in the first Clasico of his career, the World Cup winner scored early.
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| Yamal's goal celebration | Photo: Barcelona web |
Barcelona, which had repeatedly caused fear in Real's defense, equalized in the 22nd minute, with a wonderful goal from Yamal. He received Lewandowski's through ball and entered the box. The 17-year-old Spanish winger avoided the obstacles of one defender and found the address with a low left-footed shot through two more.
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez left the field in the 29th minute due to discomfort in his leg. Ronald Araujo came on in his place.
Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead with a successful spot-kick in the 36th minute. Real midfielder Eduardo Camavinga initially failed to react when Gavi was fouled in the box, but the referee awarded a penalty after reviewing the VAR on the monitor.
The 36-year-old Polish striker has scored 26 goals in 27 matches for Barcelona this season.
Barcelona took the lead three minutes later, extending their lead. Rafinha headed home a cross from Julen Kundera from the right.
In the 9th minute of added time of the first half, Courtois sent Balde's corner shot over the crossbar with one hand from inside the box. Shortly after, the 21-year-old Spanish defender found the net. He took advantage of the opponent's mistake, entered the box, received a pass from Rafinha in a counter-attack, and scored with a left-footed shot.
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| Mbappe after the goal | Photo: MCF web |
In the 47th minute, a shot from Rodrigo hit the post. The next minute, the ball went into Real's net again. Rafinha advanced from his own half, passing a pass from Marc Casado, and scored his second goal after beating someone in the box.
The Brazilian forward has scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 27 games for Barcelona in all competitions this season.
Polish goalkeeper Stanisław Szczesny was sent off in the 56th minute after fouling Mbappe outside the box. The referee made the decision after watching the replay on the monitor with the help of VAR.
The Barcelona coach took Gavi off and brought Inaki Pena to handle the post. At the same time, Dani Olmo came on as a replacement for Yamal.
Rodrygo reduced the gap with that free-kick. The ball touched Pena's hand, hit the post, and went into the net.
Real increased the pressure on Barcelona for the rest of the game. However, they did not find a goal at all. Barcelona was jubilant as the final whistle blew.