Barcelona Edge Real Madrid in Five-Goal Clasico Thriller to Retain Spanish Super Cup
Barcelona continued their recent dominance over Real Madrid with a dramatic 3–2 victory in a pulsating Spanish Super Cup final at the King Abdallah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, sealing back-to-back titles and lifting the trophy for a record 16th time.
In a match that lived up to its billing, Hansi Flick’s side showed composure at key moments to edge past their eternal rivals, repeating last season’s final success and extending their impressive run of form at the start of 2026.
Brazilian winger Raphinha proved decisive on the night, scoring twice and delivering the winning moment in the 73rd minute when his deflected effort evaded everyone and nestled in the net.
It capped a breathless contest that swung wildly in momentum, particularly during a chaotic first-half stoppage time.
Barcelona struck first in the 36th minute as Raphinha drilled a low finish into the bottom corner after cutting inside, seemingly giving the Catalans control.
However, the closing moments of the half descended into drama. Deep into added time, Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of brilliance, nutmegging Jules Koundé on a mazy run before sliding a composed finish into the far corner to draw Real level and end his 17-game goal drought.
The drama was far from over. As Barcelona players protested that the half-time whistle should already have been blown, the match restarted and swung again.
Robert Lewandowski restored Barça’s lead in the 49th minute, clipping a precise effort in off the post, only for Real Madrid to respond almost immediately. Two minutes later, Gonzalo García reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area, hooking home after Dean Huijsen’s header struck the crossbar to make it 2–2.
The second half remained tense and finely balanced until Raphinha’s decisive intervention midway through the period. His clever, floated strike in the 73rd minute beat the Real defence and goalkeeper, sending the Barcelona end into raptures and putting Flick’s men back in front for good.
The closing stages were marked by nerves and controversy. Frenkie de Jong was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a lunging challenge on substitute Kylian Mbappé, who had only just returned from a knee injury. Despite their numerical advantage, Real failed to find a late equaliser.
Marcus Rashford squandered a gilt-edged chance when clean through, while late efforts from Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio were both straight at Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García. Barcelona, under mounting pressure, defended resolutely to see out the win.
The victory marked Barcelona’s second consecutive Spanish Super Cup title—something they last achieved in 2011—and extended an extraordinary run under Flick.
The Blaugrana have now won 10 straight matches in all competitions and remain unbeaten against Spanish opposition since October, when Real last defeated them at the Bernabéu.
It also continued Flick’s perfect record in finals against Real Madrid, with all three of his trophies at the club—two Super Cups and a Copa del Rey—coming at the expense of Los Blancos.
For Barcelona, silverware in Jeddah offers further proof that 2026 could be a season to remember, as they sit four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and continue to assert their authority on the biggest domestic stages.