On Sunday, January 12, 2024, Barcelona secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Match Highlights
Early Lead for Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 5th minute, giving his team an early advantage. However, they couldn’t hold on to this lead till the end of the game.
Barcelona’s Response: Lamine Yamal equalized in the 22nd minute, followed by goals from Robert Lewandowski (36′), Raphinha (39′), and Alejandro Balde (45+10′), propelling them to a 4-1 lead by halftime.
Second Half Action: Raphinha added his second goal in the 48th minute, extending his team’s lead to 5-1. Rodrygo scored a consolation goal in the 60th minute, concluding the match at 5-2.
Key Performances
Raphinha: The Brazilian winger was instrumental, scoring two goals and providing an assist, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Lamine Yamal: The young forward’s equalizing goal shifted the momentum, showcasing the La Masia Talent as one for the big stages.
Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker continued his impressive form, contributing a goal and an assist to his side’s victory, to add to his trophy cabinet.
Tactical Mastery
Under the guidance of manager Hansi Flick, La Blaugrana displayed tactical superiority, effectively exploiting Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities and maintaining control throughout the match. This is the second time this season that the German tactician has had the better of Carlo Ancelott, which doesn’t spell well for the Galacticos.
Real Madrid’s Struggles
Despite a strong start, Ancelotti’s players were unable to contain Barça’s relentless attack, leading to a second consecutive heavy defeat against their arch-rivals.
This victory marks Barcelona’s 15th Spanish Super Cup title, reinforcing their dominance in Spanish football and providing a significant morale boost for the remainder of the season.
On the other hand, Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti have to return to the drawing board to find a solution for their woes, and they need this solution fast.
