Raphinha’s double and Lamine Yamal’s magic propel Barcelona to a gripping 3-2 Super Cup triumph over a timid Real Madrid.
Barcelona clinched their 16th Spanish Super Cup title with a gripping 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the final, showcasing dominance amid chaos. Raphinha’s brace and sharp play from young stars like Lamine Yamal highlighted Barcelona’s edge in this Riyadh showdown. The match exposed Real Madrid’s tactical shift and underlying frailties, flipping the script from their earlier league victory.
Raphinha and Yamal Shine Bright
Raphinha proved unstoppable, slamming home the opener in the 36th minute after Real Madrid were caught napping, then sealing the deal in the 73rd with a slippery shot that deflected past Thibaut Courtois. His relentless runs and finishing earned him top billing, much like his MVP nod in last season’s final against the same foes.
Lamine Yamal terrorised the Madrid defence, threading balls that nearly led to goals and keeping Real’s backline on edge with his pace and vision. Together, they dismantled Madrid’s setup, creating Barcelona’s best chances in a game where possession tilted their way heavily at around 71%.
This duo’s big-night heroics underline Hansi Flick’s faith in youth blended with experience, turning pressure moments into highlights.
Real Madrid’s Spineless Low Block
Xabi Alonso surprised everyone by parking the bus early, ceding the ball to Barcelona and banking on counters rather than their usual fluid build-up. Los Blancos mustered just scattered breaks, with no sustained attacks through the middle, leaving them looking passive against the Catalans’ press.
The approach kept it close at halftime (2-2 after Vinicius’ solo stunner and Gonzalo Garcia’s crossbar bounce goal), but it drained Madrid’s identity, especially as Barcelona probed relentlessly. Stats show Madrid’s expected goals (xG) hovered low at under 1.5, dwarfed by Barca’s higher tally from dominance.
Such a defensive shell raises questions about Alonso’s adaptability when facing top sides, a far cry from Real’s traditional swagger.
Vinicius Junior: Madrid’s Lone Spark
Amid the gloom, Vinicius Jr. reignited his form, nutmegging Jules Kounde for a breathtaking equaliser that had the bench roaring. His left-flank raids forced seven saves from Joan Garcia, constantly stretching Barcelona’s right side and nearly forcing extra time.
Vinicius clocked the highest dribbles completed (5/7) and created three chances, a reminder of his world-class threat even in a team set-up that muffled others. This burst comes after a dip, hinting at the Brazilian winger recapturing his lethal edge.
For Real Madrid, he’s the silver lining in a night of tactical retreat, the one player who could have flipped the script single-handedly.
Avenging the League Loss
Barcelona flipped the narrative from their 2-1 La Liga defeat in October, where Real Madrid exploited their high line for a gritty win. Here, Flick’s side defended their Super Cup crown—the first repeat since the Saudi format began—mirroring last season’s final triumph over Madrid.
Under Hansi Flick, Barca now boasts a perfect 3/3 record in finals, part of his unbeaten streak in eight career deciders. Robert Lewandowski’s cheeky chip restored their lead before halftime, capping a response to Madrid’s quickfire equaliser.
This revenge win injects momentum, with Barca eyeing a domestic treble repeat after last year’s sweep, their five wins in six recent Clasicos underscoring growing supremacy.
Leadership Vacuum Costs Madrid
When Federico Valverde limped off with an injury concern around the 70th-minute mark, Real Madrid visibly deflated, lacking the grit to push back as Barcelona retook control. Without anchors like Valverde, Dani Carvajal, and Antonio Rudiger, the side shed its warrior DNA.
Jude Bellingham and others have talent aplenty, but the absence of vocal leaders let Barcelona dictate late, especially after Frenkie de Jong’s red card forced a reshuffle. Madrid’s late push fizzled, with Alvaro Carreras missing a sitter.
This exposes a core issue: quality alone doesn’t win Clasicos; character does, and Real’s bench depth faltered without those generals. Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup retention caps a statement night, blending flair with resilience to outlast Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller.
Real’s low-block gamble backfired, highlighting tactical timidity and a leadership gap post-Valverde, though Vinicius’ magic offered hope. Flick’s unbeaten finals run grows to 3/3 with Barca, avenging their league loss and stamping their authority in Spanish football.
The 3-2 scoreline masks Barca’s 71% possession and higher xG, but Madrid’s counters kept it alive until Raphinha’s winner. Joan Garcia’s seven saves proved crucial, while Pedri orchestrated key moments.
Looking ahead, this boosts Barca’s belief for Champions League and Copa del Rey ties, while Madrid must rediscover its spine to challenge in 2025-26. Clasicos like this remind us why they’re football’s pinnacle: raw drama, individual brilliance, and tactical chess that swings on fine margins.
