AFCON 2025
Goals, drama, and chaos are the hallmarks of a proper Spanish El Classico whether or not it is played on home soil.
The city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the final of the Spanish Super Cup between Barcelona and Real Madrid and got what it bargained for.
Barcelona retained their title in a pulsating affair that saw the La Liga champions finish with 10 men late in the game.
The Catalan giants started the game like a house on fire as they put their rivals under immense pressure early in the game.
Xabi Alonso started without Kylian Mbappe and trusted 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia alongside Vinicius Jr in attack.
The young forward missed an opportunity to put Los Balancos ahead despite Barcelona’s early pressure but fired a low drive which Joan Garcia comfortably saved.
Brazilian winger, Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 36th minute as he weaves his way past his marker before unleashing a low left-footed drive into the far post.
A few moments later, Vinicius Jr equalised from a sublime solo run to score his first goal in 18 matches.
Barcelona restored their lead within a minute as Robert latched on to Pedri’s pass before looping the ball over Courtois.
Just before the first-half break, Gonzalo Garcia equalised for Real Madrid as he reacted quickest to a rebound as it ended 2-2 after the first 45 minutes.
Real Madrid got better in the early periods of the second half but failed to convert their chances as Joan Garcia denied Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo from scoring.
With 15 minutes to go, an unfortunate deflection by Raul Asencio from Raphinha’s light-weight shot gave Barcelona the lead for the third time.
Frenkie De Jong got his marching orders late in the game as he received a red card for a rash tackle on Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid’s Alvaro Carreras missed a golden opportunity to draw the game level in the final minute of added time as he pratically passed the ball to Joan Garcia.
The pulsating El Classico ended 3-2 as Barcelona bag their first trophy of the season which extended Hansi Flick’s unbeaten record in finals – eight wins in eight.
