The storm had not yet risen. A drowsy, heavy stillness hung in the air. Suddenly, lightning split the sky and rain burst open like popping corn, accompanied by a fierce gale. The El Clásico in the Spanish Super Cup final unfolded much the same way. Watching the first half-hour, it didn’t seem such a storm was waiting. In a breathless contest, Barcelona defeated arch-rivals Real Madrid 3–2 to retain the title.
Played past midnight Indian time, the flow of the match was such that drowsiness felt inevitable. But as the saying goes, the wick must be prepared in the morning before lighting the lamp in the evening. When the clock struck 36 minutes, Barcelona lit the first lamp Brazilian star Raphinha scored. Yet the drama was far from over.
Three goals were scored in first-half stoppage time. In the 47th minute (45+2), Vinícius Júnior dribbled past two Barça defenders inside the box to score a sublime goal and level the match. Two minutes later, Robert Lewandowski finished clinically from a Pedri assist to put Barcelona ahead again. Within three minutes, Gonzalo García struck to restore parity for Los Blancos. For the first time in the 21st century, El Clásico witnessed three goals in first-half added time. At the interval of this ever-changing thriller, the scoreline read 2–2.
After the late surge of excitement before the break, the second half lost some of its edge. Though attacks came thick and fast, neither side found the net for a while. In the 71st minute, Thibaut Courtois saved Lamine Yamal’s shot from ten yards. A minute later, the Catalans struck again—Raphinha put Barcelona ahead with a moment of individual brilliance. Slipping inside the box as he shot, the Brazilian’s effort deflected off Asensio’s leg and into Real’s net. That made it seven goals in his last five matches for Barcelona.
Despite creating chances thereafter, Real Madrid couldn’t draw level as Barça’s goalkeeper became impenetrable. Tension peaked even after 90 minutes, when a Barcelona midfielder was sent off with a red card for fouling Kylian Mbappé while victory was within reach. It made little difference.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona lifted their fourth trophy. Another milestone followed: the German coach has now won all eight finals of his coaching career. Beating Real Madrid in the final for the second straight time, Barcelona claimed their 16th Spanish Super Cup title. The Catalans enjoyed 68% possession and took 16 shots, seven on target. Real, meanwhile, had 12 attempts, 10 of them on goal.
