Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-1 in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, as El Clasico delivered drama and brilliant goals once again.
Real got revenge for their 3-1 defeat to Barca in the 2023 final, as Vinicius Jr scored a brilliant first half hat trick as Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo set him free for his first two goals against a ridiculous high-line from Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski smashed home to briefly make it 2-1 but Vini then completed his hat trick from the penalty spot after Ronald Araujo fouled him.
In the second half Real dominated possession as Rodrygo added a fourth and Araujo was shown a second yellow card as Barcelona finished the game with ten men and Real stroked the ball around with ease.
Xavi was, understandably, very disappointed with the defeat, while Carlo Ancelotti has won yet another trophy with Real (his 11th trophy) and despite the squad being a lot smaller this season if feels like they are ushering in a new era of dominance in Spanish football.
Real won the first Clasico of the season with a 2-1 win away at the Camp Nou on Oct. 28 and they’ve now beaten their bitter rivals to win the Super Cup.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona video highlights
Focus on Real Madrid moving forward
Real Madrid’s story of the season has been new signing Jude Bellingham, who continues to show us why Birmingham City was ready to make him a statue subject when he was still a teenager.
Real has the best points-per-game haul in La Liga but is a point behind Girona, the surprising Catalan power who lead La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s back line has only allowed 11 goals in league play and boasts La Liga’s best goal differential at plus-29. They now have one trophy under their arm and are aiming to win La Liga and the Champions League with the understanding of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Bellingham providing them with the x-factor in attack.
Focus on Barcelona moving forward
Long-term injuries to Gavi, Marcos Alonso, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have affected the team in a big way, while Raphinha and Joao Cancelo were also missing for the Super Cup final.
Barca is seven points behind Real while also holding a match-in-hand on Girona, so the reigning champs aren’t a million miles away from defending their title. But the manner of this defeat to Real will be a wake up call for Xavi and Co.