Barcelona’s journey to Spanish Super Cup glory was anything but smooth, as Real Madrid struck early in typical El Clásico fashion. Within the first ten minutes, a sloppy Barcelona corner kick led to a devastating counterattack.
Kylian Mbappé, with his explosive pace and sublime skill, took on Alejandro Balde and slotted the ball past Wojciech Szczęsny to put Real Madrid ahead. The early goal sent a shockwave through Barcelona’s fans, but the Catalans quickly settled into their rhythm.
Despite the setback, Barcelona dominated possession, asserting control of the game. Their response was swift, with Lamine Yamal once again delivering on the big stage. A perfectly timed through ball split Madrid’s defense, allowing Yamal to glide past the center-backs and coolly finish past Thibaut Courtois.
The young sensation’s equalizer set the tone for Barcelona’s relentless onslaught, as the Catalonians never looked back.
The midfield trio of Marc Casado, Pedri, and Gavi dictated the tempo, winning the battles in the trenches and driving the team forward. Their efforts led to a crucial turning point when Eduardo Camavinga conceded a penalty for a high boot on Gavi. Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the spot and confidently buried the penalty, giving Barcelona a 2-1 lead and putting them firmly in control.
Barcelona continued to exploit Madrid’s defensive lapses, as Jules Koundé’s pinpoint lofted pass found a running Raphinha in stride. The Brazilian’s perfectly placed header extended the lead to 3-1 in just the 39th minute, showcasing his brilliance in the air.
Mere moments later, Raphinha and Balde combined on a blistering counterattack, with Raphinha unselfishly setting up Balde for a clinical finish. The left-back’s goal sent Barcelona into halftime with an emphatic 4-1 lead.
Thoughts of a second-half turnaround were quickly dismissed after Raphinha added to his tally in the 48th minute, capitalizing on an astonished Real Madrid side to make it 5-1. However, the drama wasn’t over.
A reckless challenge from Szczęsny on Mbappé earned the Barcelona goalkeeper a red card, forcing Hansi Flick to make immediate changes. Substitute Iñaki Peña was called into action but couldn’t stop Rodrygo’s stunning free-kick, which cut the deficit to 5-2 and suddenly reignited Madrid’s hopes.
Playing with ten men, Barcelona showed resilience and discipline in defense. Flick’s substitutions, including the introduction of Dani Olmo, helped stabilize the team as they weathered Madrid’s late pressure. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Barcelona held firm, showcasing their grit and determination to secure the win.
This victory is a monumental statement from Barcelona, who have now outscored their rivals 9-2 in their last two meetings. Lamine Yamal, once again, proved his mettle in big matches, while the team’s cohesion and tactical execution under Flick continue to impress. With this triumph, Barcelona claimed the Spanish Super Cup title and sent a clear message: they remain the team to beat in Spain.