Barcelona decisively defeated arch-rival Real Madrid on Sunday evening. The Catalan giants proved too strong for Carlo Ancelotti's team in the Spanish Super Cup final, winning 5-2. This marks the second time this season that Barcelona has won a Clásico by a wide margin.
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Real Madrid entered the Spanish Super Cup final with a point to prove. Earlier in the season, Barcelona had handed them a humiliating 4-0 defeat in El Clásico, a game that showcased the stark difference in form between the two sides at the time.
Back then, Real Madrid was still finding its rhythm under Carlo Ancelotti, while Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, was flying high and seemed almost untouchable. Coming into the final, however, the landscape had shifted. Real Madrid had shown significant improvement, finding stability and confidence, and the stage was set for a fierce battle in one of football’s most storied rivalries.
The match kicked off with Real Madrid signaling their intent. Within just five minutes, Kylian Mbappé demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best in the world. The French superstar made a blistering run down the left flank, outpacing Alejandro Balde with ease. His diagonal shot was clinical, leaving Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen with no chance. The early goal electrified the Madridistas in the crowd and sent a message that Real Madrid was ready to fight.
For Barcelona, the early setback could have been destabilizing. Conceding so quickly in a high-stakes match might have shaken their composure, but Flick’s team showed remarkable resilience. Rather than retreating into their shell, Barcelona responded with determination. It wasn’t long before their young sensation, Lamine Yamal, stole the spotlight. With a dazzling solo effort, the teenager weaved through Real Madrid's defense and calmly slotted the ball past Wojciech Szczęsny to level the score. The goal not only restored parity but also reignited Barcelona’s confidence.
As the first half progressed, Barcelona began to assert control. Ten minutes before the break, controversy struck. Gavi, Barcelona’s fiery midfielder, made a surging run into the box and was brought down by Eduardo Camavinga. The initial decision by the referee was to play on, but after a thorough review by VAR, the challenge was deemed a foul. The penalty was awarded, and Robert Lewandowski, as cool as ever, stepped up to take it. The Polish striker sent Szczęsny the wrong way and put Barcelona ahead 2-1.
Before the halftime whistle, Barcelona delivered another hammer blow to their rivals. Jules Koundé, known more for his defensive prowess, produced an exquisite long ball over Real Madrid's backline. Raphinha timed his run perfectly and met the cross with a powerful header, leaving Szczęsny rooted to the spot. The Brazilian's goal extended Barcelona’s lead to 3-1 and underscored the team’s attacking brilliance.
In a dramatic end to the first half, Barcelona struck yet again. Deep into injury time, which had been extended due to multiple stoppages, the Catalans launched a devastating counterattack. The move was orchestrated with precision, and Alejandro Balde finished it off with a composed strike to make it 4-1. The goal was a dagger to Real Madrid’s hopes and a testament to Barcelona’s ruthless efficiency.
The second half began with Barcelona showing no signs of letting up. Within minutes, Marc Casado, a somewhat surprising inclusion in the lineup over Frenkie de Jong, played a perfectly weighted through ball to Raphinha. The Brazilian winger, full of confidence, cut inside and left Aurélien Tchouaméni in his wake before calmly slotting the ball into the net for his second goal of the match and Barcelona’s fifth. The scoreline was becoming a rout, and Real Madrid appeared powerless to stop it.
The game took another dramatic turn just before the hour mark. Wojciech Szczęsny, who had been preferred over Iñaki Peña for this match, was sent off after bringing down a breaking Mbappé outside the penalty area. The foul was initially missed by the referee but was later corrected after another intervention from VAR. Real Madrid was reduced to ten men, and their task became even more insurmountable.
Rodrygo offered a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid with a stunning free kick. The Brazilian's strike was inch-perfect, curling past substitute goalkeeper Peña and ricocheting in off his hand. The goal brought the score to 5-2, but it was clear that the mountain Real Madrid needed to climb was too steep.
As the game wore on, Barcelona managed the match with maturity. Hansi Flick introduced Dani Olmo, whose eligibility had been a topic of debate leading up to the match. Despite the man advantage, Real Madrid struggled to create meaningful opportunities against Barcelona’s disciplined defense. Flick’s side saw out the game comfortably, with Frenkie de Jong remaining unused on the bench.
The final whistle confirmed Barcelona as the Spanish Super Cup champions for the fifteenth time in the club’s illustrious history. The victory added another trophy to Hansi Flick’s growing collection and underscored Barcelona’s dominance in the domestic scene this season. For Real Madrid, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Having won the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup earlier in the season, Ancelotti had hoped to add a third piece of silverware to the campaign. Instead, his team was left to reflect on another humbling defeat to their arch-rivals.
The result not only reinforced Barcelona’s supremacy in the current season but also raised questions about Real Madrid’s ability to compete against top-tier opposition. For Barcelona fans, it was another night to savor, as their team continues to look like a force to be reckoned with on all fronts.
Updated: 10:27, 13 Jan 2025
