A final that crackled with drama
Under the Saudi night sky in Jeddah, Barcelona and Real Madrid served up a Clásico for the ages. The scoreboard read 3-2 to Barça after a rollercoaster 90 minutes, and it was Raphinha — twice on target — who delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute, handing Hansi Flick a third straight final victory over Madrid and the first trophy of the season.
Raphinha the match-winner
The Brazilian winger was electric, a constant menace who combined pace, craft and a killer instinct. He opened the scoring in the 36th minute and then, after a frantic spell of stoppage-time goals, struck again to settle the contest. The second was slightly fortunate — a deflection that wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois — but no one could argue with the merit of his performance. Raphinha’s recent record against Madrid is staggering: a torrent of goals and assists that has made him a nightmare for Los Blancos.
A breathless first half and a pendulum of momentum
The opening 45 minutes felt like a short film of football extremes. Raphinha’s opener was answered by Vinícius Júnior, only for Robert Lewandowski to nudge Barça back in front. Just before the break, Gonzalo García restored parity, leaving the tie delicately poised as the teams headed for the tunnel. The wild sequence of three stoppage-time goals set the tone for a second half that never lost its edge.
Vinícius rediscovers his spark
With Kylian Mbappé eased back from a knee problem to the bench, the onus fell on Vinícius Júnior — and he delivered a timely reminder of his brilliance. The Brazilian ended a 16-game drought with a sublime solo goal in added time, nutmegging Jules Koundé and finishing with composure. For a player under pressure, it was a cathartic moment that suggested the best of Vinícius may yet return.
Tactical chess and a safety-first Madrid
Xabi Alonso’s side adopted a cautious, defensive setup at times, dropping into a compact block to blunt Barça’s rhythm. It worked to an extent: Madrid limited the damage and stayed competitive, even if the approach lacked the freewheeling identity many expected. They created chances on the break and remained dangerous until the final whistle, but ultimately fell short by a single goal.
Defensive cracks for Barça to mend
Barcelona’s streak of clean sheets came to an end, and the final exposed vulnerabilities at the back. Jules Koundé and Pau Cubarsí were tested, and moments of loose marking allowed Madrid to strike. Flick will take the trophy, but the defensive lapses are a reminder that there is still work to do if Barça are to sustain a title push and mount a serious Champions League challenge.
What it means for both sides
For Barça, the Supercopa is vindication — a statement that the October LaLiga setback was a blip and that Flick’s side remain the benchmark in Spain. The win adds to a growing haul under the German coach and injects momentum into a season where silverware is already within reach. For Madrid and Xabi Alonso, the defeat is a narrow setback rather than a crisis; the coach survives, but questions about style and identity linger.
A final etched in Clásico lore
This was more than a trophy match — it was a showcase of individual brilliance, tactical sparring and raw emotion. Raphinha walked off as the hero, Vinícius rediscovered his spark, and football fans were left with a classic that will be replayed in memory for seasons to come.
