Audio By Carbonatix
Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Madrid in an incident-packed Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid the lead with a fantastic solo goal, running from the halfway line before slotting past Wojciech Szczesny.
Lamine Yamal levelled for Barcelona in the 22nd minute with an expert finish into the bottom corner from Robert Lewandowski's ball.
Hansi Flick's side then took command with three more goals before the break.
Poland striker Lewandowski put Barca ahead with a penalty after Gavi was fouled, before a bullet header from Raphinha three minutes later. The Brazilian winger then picked out Alex Balde to score a fourth in the 10th minute of added time in the first half.
Barca grabbed their fifth goal three minutes after the restart with Raphinha's second of the game.
But they had goalkeeper Szczesny sent off for a foul on Mbappe outside the box in the 56th minute.
Brazil forward Rodrygo curled the resulting free-kick past replacement keeper Inaki Pena - but there was no further comeback from Real as Barca claimed the trophy for a 15th time in their history.
It marked the second time in two Clasicos under Flick that Barcelona have hit plenty of goals against their rivals, winning 4-0 at the Bernabeu in La Liga back in October.
It was also his first trophy - albeit a minor one - since a 2020-21 Bundesliga title success with Bayern Munich.
Who saw this one coming?
The result at King Abdullah Sports City was slightly surprising considering Real Madrid were the team in better form.
Barca have only won one of their last seven La Liga games and sit five points behind Real in the table – with Atletico Madrid top by one point.
Carlo Ancelotti's men, meanwhile, had won their last five games in all competitions and were last beaten on 4 December.
Szczesny was making his third appearance for Barcelona, having waited months for a chance after coming out of retirement to sign earlier this season. He had kept clean sheets in the first two games but the straight red card, which could have potentially let Real back into the game, is now unlikely to do him any favours.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha's double takes him up to 19 goals for the season, with Lewandowski moving on to 26.
This was the third Clasico Super Cup in a row, with Barca winning 3-1 in 2023 and Real winning 4-1 last year.
Latest Stories
-
Bui Power Plant galamsey must be treated as national emergency – Collins Adomako
7 minutes -
Staff of DBG give back to communities
18 minutes -
CAF condemns “unacceptable behaviour” at AFCON final, opens review for disciplinary action
19 minutes -
Shatta Wale sues Blakk Rasta for GHS 100 Million over ‘King of Fraud’ allegations
24 minutes -
Galamsey Threat: Adomako-Mensah calls for 24-hour security at Bui Power Plant
35 minutes -
Afigya Kwabre North MP admits politicians failing in fight against galamsey
38 minutes -
DCE appeals for completion of Agenda 111 hospital in Asutifi North
43 minutes -
I don’t care who wins NPP primaries; may the best candidate emerge – Kofi Amoabeng
46 minutes -
Lower Manya Krobo MP rewards constituents for outstanding contributions to Kroboland development
48 minutes -
Elixir or Placebo? Microeconomics as the litmus test for Ghana’s Macroeconomic Recovery
53 minutes -
I won’t celebrate Ken Ofori-Atta’s troubles – Kofi Amoabeng
1 hour -
GPRTU announces a crackdown over illegal fare increases
1 hour -
COPEC urges NPA to scrap fuel price floors to ease costs for consumers
1 hour -
“Underestimate Dr Adutwum at your own risk” — Adutwum camp fires back at Bryan Achampong video
2 hours -
The role of curriculum in transmitting societal values: Why NaCCA must be resourced and empowered
2 hours
