Barcelona defeated rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup Clasico final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the first trophy under Hansi Flick.
Kylian Mbappé’s goal put Madrid in the lead, but the dominant Barcelona also scored five goals and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the second half.
Madrid had hoped to avenge their 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona in October’s La Liga Clasico, but instead were left bruised and beaten by their arch-rivals in Jeddah.
After Mbappé’s opening goal, Lamine Yamal equalized, Robert Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead from the penalty spot, Rafinha scored the second goal and Alejandro Balde also scored.
Madrid pulled one back through a free kick from Rodrygo Goes, but they were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage and suffered a humiliating defeat to the European champions.
“I’m really happy, it’s been a season since we won the trophy. It’s always special, and on top of that the Clasico against Real Madrid,” Barcelona defender Jules Kounde told Movistar.
“We stayed very calm and patient because we knew if we executed our plan we could win.
“I’m very proud of the team and I’m happy… Immediately after the red card we got together and said we were going to suffer and we had to stay put. But I… We had a huge advantage and we couldn’t escape this situation.”
‘Poor defense’ cost Real Madrid the game
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team’s poor defense was the main reason for the heavy defeat.
“We defended poorly and it cost us the game. They found the goal easily,” Ancelotti told Movistar.
“Like all fans, we’re sad. We’re disappointed. There’s no need to hide it… We have to move on. There’s nothing else we can do.”
Both coaches chose to keep the same lineups that started in the semifinals.
Yamal gave Madrid an early warning with a curling shot from the right, forcing Thibaut Courtois to make a fine save.
The Belgian goalkeeper also made a strong stop to deny Rafinha’s header after the Brazilian effortlessly got past Lucas Vazquez.
Despite Barcelona taking the lead, it was Real Madrid who took the lead in the fifth minute with Mbappé’s stunning goal on the counter.
The French forward, who had been frustrated by multiple offside flags in the league defeat to Catalonia, broke free on the halfway line after Vinicius won the ball back and ran into the area before running past Szczesny.
Barcelona recover from below goal
A stunning individual goal from 17-year-old Yamal equalized the score. The Spanish winger cut in from the right and finished low inside the near post in a style similar to former Barça great Lionel Messi. He is often compared to
After Eduardo Camavinga arrived late and carelessly hit Gabi, Barcelona continued to push and Lewandowski’s penalty put them ahead.
Rafinha quickly added Barcelona’s third goal by heading in Kounde’s deep cross, and just before half-time Barcelona had their fourth goal.
Yamal and Rafinha combined, the latter sliding into Bardet, who evaded Courtois.
Barcelona continued in the same vein after the break, and Rafinha, introduced by Marc Casado, scored their fifth goal with a clean dribble and finish.
The Catalans were reduced to 10 men when Mbappé sped from the opposite flank, past goalkeeper Szczesny and was brought down outside the box, and was sent off following a VAR review.
Rodrygo hit the post first and took a free kick past Szczesny’s substitute Inaki Pena.
Bellingham and Mbappé leave questions for Real from Real
Mbappe teed up Jude Bellingham superbly, but the England international was thwarted by a fine challenge from Kounde in stoppage time.
The French forward came close to scoring again himself with some great individual play, but his shot was deflected away by Peña.
“He was (Madrid’s) best player,” Ancelotti said, referring to Mbappe’s development after a haphazard start to his time at the club following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona made midfielder Dani Olmo’s first appearance since being provisionally registered at the club, a controversial issue that overshadowed the semi-finals earlier in the week.
But when Barça won a record-extending 15th Spanish Super Cup, their five-star signing sparked plenty of other buzz.
