In the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 for the second consecutive year, with Rafinha scoring twice.
Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup with a thrilling 3-2 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, the Catalans defeated Xabi Alonso’s side to win a record-extending 16th title, with Rafinha scoring twice and Robert Lewandowski also on target, despite a late red card for Frenkie de Jong.
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After Rafinha put Barcelona ahead, Vinicius Junior equalized for Madrid with a wonderful individual goal, marking the beginning of a frenetic end to the first half in Jeddah.
Lewandowski put Barça ahead, but Gonzalo García’s deep goal in stoppage time brought the teams level at half-time.
The match was decided in the 73rd minute by Rafinha’s deflected shot as Barça clinched their fourth trophy of Hansi Flick’s reign.
Madrid’s opponent Xabi Alonso started with French superstar Kylian Mbappé on the bench after missing the semi-final win against Atletico with a knee sprain.
Manager Hansi Flick, who led Barça to four wins in four Clásicos against Madrid last season, started Lewandowski up front rather than Ferran Torres and brought teenage star Lamine Yamal back to the right flank.
It was a rough start in the heat of the Saudi night, with Barcelona keeping the ball and resisting by sitting deep while Madrid targeted Vinicius Junior on the counter.
The Brazilian had not scored in his previous 16 games, but provided a strong threat by flying down the left wing and forcing João Garcia to make his first save.
As Vinicius tried to break through, Raphinha also slid in behind his compatriot at full speed.
Barça began to intensify their attack against Madrid, and Rafinha found the breakthrough after 36 minutes.
Moments after the winger sent a golden chance wide, he made up for it with a quick, low shot from just inside the area, past Thibaut Courtois and into the bottom corner.
Madrid equalized with a great shot from Vinicius, who fired a floated ball from the left that rattled Jules Kounde and past Garcia.
Barcelona took the lead in the 4th minute of stoppage time in the first half when Lewandowski scored after Pedri came on.
However, Madrid quickly hit back just before the interval with Gonzalo García scoring a fine goal despite falling after Dean Huyssen’s header bounced off the crossbar.
speed becomes slower
The second half was quiet, with fewer chances as the team’s pace slowed.
Garcia saved a low shot from Rodrygo Goes and Courtois broke off Yamal’s attack.
As Mbappé was warming up on the sideline, Barcelona denied Courtois a chance when Rafinha’s shot from outside the box was deflected by Raul Asensio.
The Brazilian is in great form and this was his seventh goal in the last five matches in all competitions.
Alonso brought on Mbappé in the final 15 minutes in an attempt to score a third goal and force a penalty shootout.
The French forward was unable to find the net, but Barça midfielder De Jong was sent off for lunging at him.
Despite Madrid’s numerical superiority, Barça had the best chance in stoppage time, when Marcus Rashford sent a shot wide of goal.
Asensio could have snatched an equalizer at the death, but he headed straight at Garcia.
The last four winners of the Spanish Super Cup have won LaLiga, and Barcelona will be hoping that can be the basis for another success.
