In a thrilling clash at the Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona overcame an early setback to decisively defeat Real Madrid 5-2, securing a record 15th trophy in the tournament’s history. The match, held on Sunday, saw Barcelona turn the tide after Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Real Madrid just five minutes into the game.
Despite the initial lead, Real Madrid’s hopes were dashed when Lamine Yamal equalized for Barcelona in the 22nd minute. The momentum shifted in favor of Barcelona when Robert Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot shortly after, following a foul by Eduardo Camavinga on Gavi. Raphinha and Alejandro Balde secured Barcelona’s dominance with stunning goals in the first half, putting the team ahead 4-1 by halftime, despite a late goal from Rodrygo for Madrid.
After the break, Barcelona faced a challenge when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for a foul on Mbappé. Nonetheless, Raphinha quickly extinguished any hopes of a Madrid comeback by adding a fifth goal. Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm and managed no shots on target after the penalty until a late attempt was saved.
Barcelona’s victory not only marks their return to winning silverware after over a year but also emphasizes their ability to capitalize on their rivals’ mistakes. Coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s effort, acknowledging the importance of this win as a stepping stone for future matches. On the other hand, Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, particularly in the first half.
This significant win for Barcelona comes after a successful semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, and it adds to the ongoing rivalry between the two clubs, who have faced each other in the Supercopa final for the third consecutive year. Despite the setback, Madrid continues to hold the upper hand in La Liga, leading Barcelona by five points after 19 games.
In summary, while this defeat was challenging for Real Madrid, it provides an opportunity for reflection and improvement as they continue their campaign. Conversely, Barcelona’s triumph signals a potential revival under new management, as they aim to build momentum in both domestic and international competitions.