By Okafor Joseph Afam – January 13, 2025

In an astonishing display of attacking brilliance, ten-man Barcelona claimed the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday evening, defeating their bitter rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the final. This remarkable victory saw Barcelona create history, becoming the first team to score four or more goals in back-to-back Clasicos, following their earlier 4-0 demolition of Los Blancos in La Liga this season.

It was Real Madrid who made the early breakthrough, as Kylian Mbappé fired them into the lead just five minutes into the match. However, Barcelona responded in spectacular fashion, scoring five unanswered goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead. The goals came from Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, two from Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde, showcasing Barcelona’s attacking prowess in Saudi Arabia.

The game turned dramatic in the 56th minute when Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was shown a red card, giving Real Madrid a numerical advantage. Rodrygo took advantage of the situation, scoring a powerful free-kick to make it 5-2. Despite the momentum shift, Barcelona held firm, and the result was never in doubt as they sealed their 15th Spanish Super Cup title.

This match will go down as one of the most memorable Clasicos in recent history. Real Madrid, who were hoping to add a third trophy to their 2024-25 collection after their UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup victories, were outplayed by Barcelona, who showed why they remain a force to be reckoned with in European football.

The loss marks a disappointing result for Real Madrid, particularly as they were at full strength, missing only Eder Militão and Dani Carvajal. Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, two of their star players, struggled to make an impact, and the team’s defense was torn apart by Barcelona’s fluid attacking play. This unexpected defeat will be a cause for concern for manager Carlo Ancelotti, especially as Real Madrid now look to regroup and focus on their La Liga and Champions League campaigns.

For Barcelona, the triumph comes at a crucial time, following a tough start to the season in La Liga. While they remain behind in the domestic title race, their form in the Champions League and their formidable attacking trio of Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha offers hope for more success in 2025. This victory serves as a timely reminder of the potential within Hansi Flick’s squad, who are now brimming with confidence heading into the rest of the season.

Man of the Match:
Raphinha – The Brazilian winger was at the heart of Barcelona’s thrilling attack, scoring two goals and providing countless problems for the Real Madrid defense. His performance was key in turning the tide of the game and ensuring Barcelona’s dominant victory.

Key Stats:

Barcelona have scored at least four goals in successive Clasicos for the first time in history.

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Blaugrana’s onslaught.

Barcelona became 15-time champions of the Spanish Super Cup.

A red card to Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny gave Real Madrid a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t capitalize.

Barcelona’s front three of Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha combined to score four of their five goals.

This stunning performance is a signal of Barcelona’s growing strength under Hansi Flick, and despite their domestic challenges, they remain one of Europe’s elite sides. For Real Madrid, there’s much to reflect on after a humbling defeat.