Barcelona edged past Real Madrid in a pulsating five-goal Clásico to lift the Spanish Super Cup for a second consecutive year, sealing their 16th title with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Brazilian winger Raphinha’s sublime 73rd-minute effort proved decisive in a final that swung wildly in momentum and emotion.
The contest exploded into life late in the first half. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a crisp low finish, only for chaos to follow in stoppage time. Vinícius Júnior, ending a 17-game goal drought, burst through to equalise before Robert Lewandowski clipped in off the post to restore Barcelona’s lead. Madrid responded almost instantly as Gonzalo García capitalised on a goalmouth scramble, ensuring the sides went in level after a breathless finish to the half.
Barcelona regained control after the break, probing patiently before Raphinha delivered the decisive moment, floating a precise shot beyond the goalkeeper to swing the final firmly in Barça’s favour. The closing stages were tense, heightened by Frenkie de Jong’s straight red card in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on substitute Kylian Mbappé, who had just returned from a knee injury.
Real threw everything forward, with late chances falling to Marcus Rashford, Álvaro Carreras, and Raúl Asencio, but goalkeeper Joan García stood firm as Barcelona clung on to complete another Super Cup triumph.
Flick’s Barcelona set the standard
The victory continues a remarkable run for Hansi Flick, whose Barcelona have now won 10 matches in a row and remain unbeaten against Spanish opposition since October. It also delivers the club’s first silverware of 2026, reinforcing their authority four points clear at the top of La Liga.
All three finals won by Flick with Barcelona have come against Real Madrid, and the German coach maintained his flawless record by winning his eighth career final, adding to the aura around his tenure.
Real Madrid face renewed questions
For Real Madrid, the defeat dents recent momentum after a string of victories and reopens scrutiny around Xabi Alonso’s project amid a season that has struggled to meet expectations in both domestic and European competitions.
As Barcelona celebrated yet another Clásico victory under the Saudi lights, the Spanish Super Cup once again delivered high drama, and reaffirmed Barça’s current edge over their fiercest rivals.
