Barcelona celebrated winning the Spanish Supercup in Jeddah.
Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead in the opening period. EPA / AOP
FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the Jeddah final by no less than 5–2.
The first El Clásico of the year turned into a rather one-sided show after Kylian Mbappé had first given Madrid the lead in just the fifth minute of the game.
However, the direction of the final changed almost immediately after the French hit. Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski (r.p.), Raphinha and Alejandro Balde turned the match around with their goals even before the break.
When the second period started with Barça leading 4–1, the Catalans no longer had to worry about the winner. Especially when right at the beginning of the second period, Raphinha scored the second of the night and Barcelona’s fifth.
However, euphoria turned into a little worry when var was alerted by the referee Jesus Gil to the videos. After a brief review, he drove the goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny with straight red to the shower.
The Pole had knocked down Mbappé, who was driving through outside the penalty area. From the following vapar Rodrygo narrowed down to 2–5.
However, the three-goal lead was so safe that the head coach Hansi Flick could send someone freed from his contractual limbo Dani Olmon to the field.
Despite the reduction in the number of players and the man superiority, Real Madrid couldn’t find a new gear.
The final numbers 5–2 tell not only about the friendly nature of the Supercup, but also about the players’ low concentration on Spain’s most insignificant championship.
The move to Saudi Arabia was a financial jackpot for the country’s football association, but otherwise the value of the competition has only decreased as a result.