Barcelona Overwhelms Real Madrid with 5-2 Victory in Spanish Super Cup Final

In a commanding performance on January 12, 2025, FC Barcelona secured their 15th Spanish Super Cup title by defeating Real Madrid 5-2 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This victory propels Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid, who have 13 titles, making Barça the team with the most Supercopa de España wins.

The match began with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé scoring an early goal, giving Los Blancos a swift advantage. However, Barcelona responded decisively. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal equalized, showcasing his burgeoning talent on a grand stage. Subsequent goals from Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde established a commanding lead for Barcelona before halftime. Raphinha added another goal early in the second half, further extending the lead.

Despite a setback when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny received a red card, reducing Barcelona to ten men, Real Madrid struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Rodrygo managed to score for Madrid, but it was insufficient to mount a comeback. Barcelona’s defense remained resolute, and their attacking prowess was evident throughout the match.

This triumph marks the first trophy for Barcelona under manager Hansi Flick, signaling a positive trajectory for the team despite recent league challenges. The victory is particularly significant as it represents the first time Barcelona has scored at least four goals in successive El Clásico matches, highlighting their offensive strength.

Real Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, with critics pointing to the lack of defensive commitment from key players, including Vinícius Jr. Analysts have noted that such lapses were instrumental in Madrid’s defeat, emphasizing the need for a more cohesive defensive strategy in future matches.

The international press has widely covered this emphatic victory, with many outlets describing it as a humiliation for Real Madrid. In Spain, publications highlighted the “humiliation” and “Súper Manita” (a term used to describe a 5-0 victory) inflicted upon Madrid. In England, ‘The Guardian’ referred to the match as a “chaotic Clásico,” while ‘The Sun’ criticized the performance of Jude Bellingham. French outlet ‘L’Equipe’ noted the comprehensive nature of Barcelona’s win, and Italian newspapers focused on Madrid’s defensive frailties. Brazilian media praised Raphinha as the standout player of the match.

This decisive win not only adds a prestigious trophy to Barcelona’s cabinet but also serves as a morale booster as they aim to regain dominance in Spanish football. For Real Madrid, the loss underscores the necessity to address defensive shortcomings and regroup for the challenges ahead.