On Sunday evening, January 12, 2025, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as "The Jewel," in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, hosted an electrifying El Clasico clash between the arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. The match ended in a resounding 5-2 victory for Barcelona, marking their 15th title in this competition and solidifying their status as the most successful club in Spanish Super Cup history.
Match Details:
The game started with high intensity from both sides. Real Madrid took an early lead in the 5th minute through their star forward Kylian Mbappé, who capitalized on a well-timed assist from Vinícius Júnior. However, Barcelona quickly responded, with Lamine Yamal equalizing in the 22nd minute with a powerful strike inside the penalty area.
Barcelona maintained their momentum and took the lead in the 36th minute when Robert Lewandowski converted a superb cross from Raphinha. Just three minutes later, Raphinha doubled the lead with a stunning shot from outside the box in the 39th minute. Alejandro Balde added a fourth goal in the 45th minute after a brilliant solo run through Madrid's defense, leaving the score 4-1 at halftime.
The second half began with Barcelona continuing their dominance. Raphinha scored his second goal and Barcelona’s fifth in the 48th minute following a clever pass from Pedri. Despite a two-goal lead, Real Madrid pushed forward and managed to pull one back through Rodrygo, who scored in the 60th minute after a brilliant solo effort.
A turning point in the game occurred in the 57th minute when Barcelona's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Mbappé outside the penalty area. Despite being reduced to ten men, Barcelona’s defensive resilience ensured they maintained control of the game until the final whistle.
Team Performance:
Barcelona displayed an exceptional attacking performance, led by the brilliant Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who were involved in most of the team's goals. The midfield duo of Pedri and Gavi dominated possession and orchestrated attacks, while the defensive unit stood firm despite the numerical disadvantage in the latter stages.
Real Madrid started strongly but faltered after conceding quick goals in the first half. Despite valiant efforts from Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, their attacks lacked the precision needed to break through Barcelona's defense consistently. Manager Carlo Ancelotti faced criticism for his tactical decisions, which failed to impact the outcome positively.
Celebrations and Reactions:
At the final whistle, Barcelona's players and coaching staff celebrated their 15th Spanish Super Cup triumph with joy and unity. The victory highlighted the successful debut season of manager Hansi Flick, who has revitalized the team with a mix of youth and experience.
Football analysts praised Barcelona's dominance, particularly in the first half, where they managed to score four goals in quick succession. Lamine Yamal received widespread acclaim for his standout performance, proving his ability to shine on the big stage.
On the other hand, Ancelotti's Real Madrid faced scrutiny from fans and media for defensive lapses and a lack of effective response to Barcelona's attacking prowess.
Match Statistics:
Possession:
Barcelona: 55%
Real Madrid: 45%
Shots:
Barcelona: 12 (8 on target)
Real Madrid: 10 (5 on target)
Corners:
Barcelona: 6
Real Madrid: 4
Fouls Committed:
Barcelona: 14
Real Madrid: 12
Starting Lineups:
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
Defense: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsi, Martínez, Alejandro Balde
Midfield: Marc Casado, Pedri, Gavi
Attack: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Real Madrid:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defense: Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Lucas Vázquez
Midfield: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde
Attack: Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo
Conclusion:
Barcelona reaffirmed their superiority in El Clasico with a convincing victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. This triumph boosts the team's morale for upcoming challenges while serving as a reminder of the strength of their squad and tactical approach under Hansi Flick.
For Real Madrid, the result highlights areas in need of improvement, particularly in defensive coordination and tactical flexibility. As both teams look ahead to the rest of the season, this El Clasico will undoubtedly be remembered as a thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry.
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