Jeddah: Brazilian winger Raphinha emerged as FC Barcelona’s match-winner as the Catalan club retained the Spanish Super Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
Raphinha scored Barcelona’s opening goal before netting the decisive winner in the second half, sealing a hard-fought title in a contest that kept Madrid pressing for an equaliser until the final whistle.
Real Madrid began the match with Kylian Mbappé on the bench, while Dean Huijsen replaced Antonio Rüdiger in defence. Coach Xabi Alonso adopted a cautious approach, asking his side to defend deep and look for counter-attacking opportunities. Barcelona, meanwhile, were careful in possession to avoid giving Madrid space on the break.
The opening half hour saw few clear chances, although Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García both went close for Madrid, only to be denied by weak finishes straight at Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García. Barcelona gradually gained control, with Thibaut Courtois saving efforts from Fermín López before Raphinha fired wide after being set up by Lamine Yamal.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Raphinha struck a low shot to put Barcelona ahead. Yamal then came to life, creating further chances, but Barcelona failed to capitalise. Their wastefulness was punished in first-half stoppage time when Vinícius levelled for Madrid with a brilliant solo effort, sprinting from the halfway line before finishing past García.
Barcelona responded immediately, regaining the lead through Robert Lewandowski, who finished clinically after a precise pass from Pedri. Controversy followed as Madrid players argued that the halftime whistle should have been blown earlier. The drama continued when Madrid equalised moments later, with García scoring after Huijsen’s header rebounded off the crossbar from a corner.
The second half saw Madrid threaten again through Vinícius and Rodrygo, but García made crucial saves. Raphinha ultimately decided the contest in the 73rd minute, turning smartly on the edge of the area before his shot deflected off Raúl Asencio to beat Courtois.
Late drama unfolded as Barcelona were reduced to 10 men after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for a high challenge on Mbappé, who had come on as a substitute. Madrid pushed hard for an equaliser in injury time, with Álvaro Carreras and Aurélien Tchouaméni both testing García, but Barcelona held firm.
Despite the late pressure, Barcelona saw out the match to clinch a deserved Spanish Super Cup title, celebrating a memorable victory in Jeddah.