Barcelona recovered from Kylian Mbappe’s spectacular opener and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s 56th-minute dismissal to beat Real Madrid and win the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah at the King Abdullah Sports City.
Madrid striker Mbappe spent almost half the pitch to score his first goal in the encounter known as El Clasico, but Lamine Yamal he equalized 17 minutes later, pouncing on Robert Lewandowski’s clever first-time pass and coolly slotting the ball in after entering the penalty area.
Lewandowski converted a penalty, Raphinha buried a powerful header from Jules Kounde’s cross and Alejandro Balde finished off a brilliant counter-attack as Hansi Flick’s side raced into a 4-1 half-time lead, the Brazilian winger firing again three minutes after the break.
When Szczesny was shown a straight red card for denying Mbappe a clear goal-scoring opportunity, midfielder Gavi made way for Inaki Pena – who was sent off before the semi-final due to Barca’s delay – to slot in on goal.
Pena barely had time to settle before Rodrygo responded for Madrid with a sublime free-kick. That proved to be only modest consolation as the reigning European champions’ five-match winning streak came to an end and Barca avenged their 4-1 defeat in last season’s final in style.
The first half, in one picture. #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/DVH74c22CX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 12, 2025
More to come
