Madrid 4 vs Barcelona 1 Spanish Super Cup

In the final of the Spanish Super Cup held in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona faced Real Madrid in a high-stakes encounter. The match ended with Real Madrid securing a dominant 4-1 victory over Barcelona. Vinícius Júnior was the standout player for Real Madrid, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 7th, 10th, and 39th minutes (the latter from a penalty). Rodrygo added another goal in the 64th minute for Madrid. Barcelona’s lone goal came from Robert Lewandowski in the 33rd minute. Barcelona also faced a setback with a red card issued to Araújo in the 71st minute​​.

Barcelona entered the match troubled by erratic form, seeking a morale boost against a Real Madrid side playing like champions. This match was particularly crucial for Barcelona, as their 2-0 win over Osasuna in the semifinals was their first victory by more than a one-goal margin since September, highlighting a period of 20 straight games without a comfortable win for Xavi Hernández’s side. Xavi, acknowledging the challenge, stated before the match that while Real Madrid was in better form, the dynamics could shift once the game started. However, Barcelona’s challenge was compounded by the absence of key player Gavi, who tore his ACL in November while playing for Spain. Xavi faced a tactical dilemma, deciding whether to opt for a four-man midfield or a three-man attack as he did against Osasuna​​.

The result of this match reaffirms Real Madrid’s strong position in Spanish football, showcasing their ability to perform in crucial matches. For Barcelona, despite the loss, the match was an opportunity to assess their progress and areas that require improvement as they continue to rebuild under Xavi Hernández’s management.