Barca edge Real Madrid in thrilling Spanish Super Cup final
Barcelona held onto the Spanish Super Cup after a captivating 3-2 Clasico victory against Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Raphinha netted a brace for the Catalan side, with Robert Lewandowski also finding the net, securing a record-breaking 16th title despite Frenkie de Jong receiving a late red card for a challenge on Kylian Mbappe.
The French striker entered as a substitute in the closing moments following a knee injury, and the loss may reignite questions about Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonsos position.
Following Raphinhas opener for Barcelona, Vinicius Junior equalised with an impressive solo effort, sparking an intense finish to the opening period in Jeddah.
Lewandowski restored Barcas lead, but Gonzalo Garcia levelled proceedings deep into added time, ensuring the sides went into halftime tied.
A deflected strike from Raphinha in the 73rd minute proved decisive for Barcelona, marking the fourth trophy under manager Hansi Flick.
Alonso, who joined in June, is yet to claim silverware, and Madrids streak of five straight victories in all competitions came to a halt at the hands of their fiercest opponents.
"Losing in any fashion stings, yet this match was tightly contested, full of action and intensity," Alonso remarked to Movistar.
"We nearly drew level, battled hard right to the whistle, and I must applaud Barca."
Barcelona dominated last years final with a 5-2 thrashing of Madrid at the same King Abdullah Sports City venue, though this encounter was much tighter.
"Were thrilled, another piece of silverware, and facing Madrid is always massive," Lewandowski shared with Movistar.
"We controlled the first half well, and the second as well, pushing for more but the win is what counts most."
Flick, successful in all four Clasicos against Madrid last season, chose Lewandowski as the central forward ahead of Ferran Torres and reinstated young talent Lamine Yamal on the right flank.
The game began untidily amid the Saudi Arabian evening warmth, as Barcelona possessed the ball while Madrid defended compactly, countering through Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian, goalless in his prior 16 outings, posed a significant danger, surging along the left and prompting an early stop from Joan Garcia.
Barcelona ramped up the pressure, and Raphinha broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.
Shortly after squandering a promising opportunity, the winger redeemed himself with a crisp, low shot from the edge of the box, beating Thibaut Courtois at the near post.
Madrid responded swiftly via a brilliant finish from Vinicius, who drifted in from the flank, evaded Jules Kounde, and tucked it away.
Barcelona regained the advantage four minutes into first-half stoppage time, as Lewandowski lofted the ball over Courtois following a pass from Pedri.
Yet Madrid struck back immediately before the break courtesy of Gonzalo Garcia, who converted neatly on the turn after Dean Huijsens header rebounded off the bar.
Always there
The second period proved more measured, with opportunities scarce as both teams adopted a steadier pace.
As Mbappe prepared to enter from the bench, Barcelona edged ahead once more, Raphinhas long-range attempt taking a deflection off Raul Asencio and wrong-footing Courtois.
The Brazilian forward is thriving currently, that being his seventh goal in five recent appearances across competitions.
"Hes consistently in the right spot," Lewandowski noted.
Alonso introduced Mbappe for the final quarter-hour, aiming to net a third and push towards extra time.
Though the Frenchman struggled to create openings, Barcelona midfielder De Jong was dismissed for a reckless tackle on him.
Even with the extra man, Barcelona fashioned the clearest chance late on, Marcus Rashford blazing over from a promising position.
Asencio came close to snatching a leveller right at the end but nodded directly at Garcia.
The past four Spanish Super Cup champions have subsequently lifted La Liga, and Barcelona hope this success launches another strong campaign.
They boast a 10-match winning run in all tournaments and top La Liga, notwithstanding a patchy beginning to the term.