Raphinha’s double clinches Spanish Super Cup for Barcelona over Real Madrid

Barcelona secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico Spanish Super Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Sunday night.

Barcelona dominated Real Madrid in the early exchanges but couldn’t get the breakthrough.

However, Vinicius Junior was presented with the game’s first real chance in the 14th minute, after he latched onto a through ball and the Brazilian made his way into the area, but his curling effort was calmly collected by Joan Garcia.

At the other end, Raphinha could’ve broken the deadlock, but the Brazilian’s effort was parried away by Thibaut Courtois.

Just past the half-hour mark, the Brazilian squandered another opportunity to put the Blaugrana ahead, but he dragged his effort wide.

In the 36th minute, Raphinha broke the deadlock and gave Barcelona the deserved lead after he skipped past his marker and drilled in a low shot past Courtois into the bottom corner.

Moments later Courtois was forced into a smart save at his near post by Fermin Lopez.

Vinicius levelled the proceedings in stoppage time with an individual brilliance after Gonzalo Garcia found him, and he wriggled his way past Kounde and Pedri before smashing home the equaliser, ending his 16-game goal drought.

Minutes later, Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead after he received a delightful through ball from Pedri, then chipping the onrushing Courtois.

However, the Blaugrana’s lead lasted just two minutes, as Gonzalo restored parity for Madrid just before the break.

Minutes after the restart, Garcia made two brilliant stops to deny Vinicius and Rodrygo from putting Los Blancos ahead.

At the other end, Lamine Yamal tried his luck from range, but his effort was straight at Courtois.

In the 73rd minute, Raphinha restored Barcelona’s lead after his strike deflected off Asensio and into the net, beyond a scrambling Courtois.

On the stroke of full-time, Frenkie de Jong was sent off for a terrible tackle on Kylian Mbappe as Madrid continued to search for the leveller.

Deep into stoppage time, Garcia made two vital saves to deny Carreras and Tchouameni as Barcelona secured the victory over their rivals.