Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 to win the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, humiliating them for the second time this season.
Both teams attacked at will in a game that lacked defensive structure and discipline. Both goalkeepers were on the field early and frequently, and Barcelona’s brilliant finishing either side of halftime firmly pushed the game in their favor until Wojcech Szczesny’s sending-off gave Real Madrid a boost.
Similar to Barcelona’s 4-0 triumph in Madrid in October, the Catalan team was let to rush deep into enemy territory with no opposition, despite Kylian Mbappe’s incredible opening goal that involved spinning Alejandro Balde inside and out before slamming home with ease. They scored four goals in the second half that time, and this time they bagged 4 before the break.
On the stroke of halftime, Balde scored after a brilliant team breakaway, Raphinia was unmarked to force a header in, Gavi was hauled down for a penalty for Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal scored a standard goal, sliding in from the right and slotting home.
After Raphinia scored his second fantastic individual goal, Szczesny was sent off for pulling down Mbappe after a second VAR call, and Rodrigo scored the subsequent free kick.
The win gives Hansi Flick’s team a much-needed boost and will only raise additional concerns about Carlo Ancelotti’s defensive manpower options.
