Barcelona Beats Real Madrid Again to Win Spanish Super Cup

Raphinha’s 73rd-minute winner came fortuitously when he slipped while shooting and the shot went over Madrid defender Raúl Asencio and deceived goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The Clasico final saw a thrilling first half end when three stoppage-time goals were scored at half-time, two from Real Madrid and one from Barcelona. In last year’s final, Raphinha scored two goals as Barcelona beat Madrid 5-2.

“We gave everything we had,” Raphinha said. “I was emotional at the end of the match, we needed a win like this.”

This was Barcelona’s 16th Super Cup title, more than any other club. Madrid ranks second with 13 championships.

Kylian Mbappé, who missed the semi-finals of the Mini Super Cup tournament due to his knee problem, entered the match in 76th place, but it was not enough for Madrid to equalize. The French striker missed Madrid’s semi-final win over Atletico Madrid on Thursday but then traveled from Spain to Saudi Arabia to take part in the final of the mini-tournament.

Robert Lewandowski also scored for Barcelona. Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García scored Madrid’s goals.

The trophy was lifted by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who has been away from the field for personal reasons since November. Reports in the Spanish press stated that his mental health had deteriorated.

The Catalan club opened the scoring in Jeddah on Sunday with Raphinha in the 36th. Madrid equalized with a stunning goal from Vinícius two minutes into first-half stoppage time, with the Brazilian striker making a fine run to split several defenders before scoring from inside the area.

Vinícius has failed to score in 16 matches with Madrid since October.

Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead two minutes after Vinícius’ goal and García leveled the game again three minutes later at the end of the first half.

Madrid had two golden chances to equalize in extra time, but could not take them.

“We must turn the page as soon as possible,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. “It’s just a game, a competition, and that’s the least important thing we have. We’ve got to look forward, try to get everyone back together, pick up our morale and move on.”

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off during stoppage time in the second half.

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 to reach the Super Cup final, while Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Barcelona became the first league champions to win the Super Cup in eight seasons and the first team to retain the trophy since Pep Guardiola’s side won three in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

New venue for 2027 Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup because next year’s final will be played in Qatar or Kuwait, Spanish football federation president Rafael Louzán said on Sunday.

The final will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028 and will be played there until at least 2030.

Spanish league results Teams not taking part in the Spanish Super Cup played regular round matches in La Liga as the domestic competition reached its halfway point.

In Sunday’s matches, Espanyol, in fifth place, drew 1-1 with second-to-last Levante, while middle-ranked Rayo Vallecano defeated Mallorca 2-1 at home.

Barcelona is the leader, 4 points ahead of Madrid, after 19 rounds.