Barcelona claimed the first domestic trophy of the season after edging arch-rivals Real Madrid 3–2 in another unforgettable Clásico.
In a thrilling Supercopa de España final, Barça were forced to respond each time Los Blancos fought back through Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García. Raphinha’s brace, either side of a Robert Lewandowski strike, ultimately proved decisive as Hansi Flick continued his impressive trophy haul since becoming manager.
Barcelona left Saudi Arabia with plenty of positives, and extra baggage in the form of a trophy.
3 positives & 2 negative from Barcelona's victory
Positive 1: Raphinha form is world class
Raphinha was locked in from the opening whistle, intent on subjecting Raúl Asencio to a torrid evening. His superior technical quality was evident throughout; he opened the scoring with a clinical finish following some intelligent play from Fermín López, before adding a second that, while slightly fortuitous, ultimately proved to be the winner.
It was a clear Man of the Match performance that served as the focal point of a cohesive and dangerous attacking display. Our Brazilian left winger is stealing the headlines on the pitch yet again.
Positive 2: Keeping the ball
Over the course of the match, Barcelona were worthy winners, controlling long spells of the first half and never allowing Real Madrid to build any sustained momentum.
Pedri and Frenkie de Jong orchestrated the game from midfield, recycling possession and setting the tempo as Barça dominated the ball with 68% possession and completed 140 passes in the final third, nearly four times Madrid’s 36.
Positive 3: The return of Araujo
Football is more than just the game, and Ronald Araújo’s return to the pitch after an extended period away for mental-health reasons was a powerful reminder of that. It may have been only a few minutes, but stepping back into a Clásico of this magnitude to help close out the win spoke volumes about the Uruguayan’s resilience and character, proving he is back and on the road to recovery.
His return also comes at a crucial time for Barcelona, with the club actively seeking defensive reinforcements, making his presence in the squad all the more significant.
Negative 1: Right side of defence continues to look shaky
Despite the win, Barcelona’s defensive right side remains a major concern. Madrid capitalized on a familiar lack of cohesion, with Kounde and Cubarsi at fault for the first equalizer and a messy failure to clear leads directly to the second.
Although the victory secures the trophy, it merely papers over the cracks of a defensive unit that remains prone to the same lapses seen earlier this season.
Negative 2: De Jong's red card
Frenkie de Jong’s red card may have seemed harsh initially, but given his studs made contact high on Mbappe’s leg, there can be little room for complaint; it was a challenge that warranted punishment.
On the bright side, his suspension will be served during the Copa del Rey fixture against Racing Santander. Missing a cup tie is a relatively lenient outcome compared to being sidelined for a crucial La Liga clash.