Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Super Cup Showdown

Oddly enough, no team has claimed the Super Cup title consecutively for the last 15 years, with Barcelona being the last team to achieve this feat. Notably, each of the runners-up in LaLiga for the previous three seasons has gone on to win the Super Cup that same year, which raises expectations for the Los Blancos in the upcoming 2026 tournament.

Approaching the Finale

Earlier this season, Real Madrid ended their Clasico losing streak against Barcelona with a victory in LaLiga, shaking off the humiliation of being defeated in all their previous encounters during the 2024/25 season.

In the lead-up to this high-stakes match, Barcelona easily dispatched Athletic Club in the semifinals, leading by four goals at halftime, making the final result seem almost predetermined. Under Hansi Flick’s management, his team achieved a ninth consecutive win, maintaining a clean slate in the last five matches, putting pressure on Real Madrid even before they stepped onto the pitch.

In comparison, Real had to face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals, where a brilliant free-kick by Fede Valverde propelled them to a 2-1 victory, marking their fifth competitive win in a row.

Historical Head-to-Head Super Cup Stats

Real Madrid will be motivated not only to triumph over their fierce rivals and secure their first trophy under manager Xabi Alonso but also to narrow the gap with Barcelona, who currently leads with a record 15 Spanish Super Cup titles.

Despite losing a previous 10 out of 18 encounters (with 2 draws and 6 losses), Madrid has a clear competitive edge in this particular tournament, as a victory would bring them just one title behind Barcelona’s record.

The match began intensely, with Barcelona dominating possession while Real Madrid’s aggressive play, characterized by a string of fouls, set the tone for the game.

Raphinha Unlocks the Scoring

As the match progressed, opportunities were limited but thrilling, thanks to the efforts of both teams’ star players—Barcelona’s Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and Real’s Vinicius Jr., who was eager to make a significant impact.

The Brazilian winger had the first shot on target, while Barcelona’s attackers began to gain ground as the first half drew to a close. Raphinha sparked the scoring in the 36th minute with a low shot that slipped past Courtois, opening the floodgates for his team.

The assist came from Fermin Lopez, marking his fourth involvement in scoring across two matches, and Raphinha’s goal brought his competition tally to three following his previous two against Athletic in the semifinal.

Late-Game Drama

As stoppage time approached, Vinicius showcased his speed, outpacing Kounde and finishing beautifully to equalize. It marked a significant performance, with Vinicius recording 11 touches in the box, the highest of any player on the field.

A rapid response from Barcelona saw Lewandowski skillfully lift the ball over Courtois after receiving a precise pass from Pedri, illustrating his exceptional goal-scoring ability. The exciting exchange continued when Gonzalo Garcia managed to equalize against the odds after a chaotic corner kick from Rodrygo.

This active first half delivered a total of 11 goals under Flick for Barcelona in the Super Cup, solidifying the need for Real to address their defensive vulnerabilities as they faced a demanding continuation of the match.

Late Push from Madrid Falls Short

The second half mirrored the tempo of the first, characterized by an increasing number of yellow cards issued by the referee, particularly to Valverde, who was actively involved in challenging plays.

Madrid intensified their efforts, with both Rodrygo and Valverde putting in commendable performances to regain possession. As the clock ticked down, a fluke involving Raphinha and a timely deflection allowed Barcelona to extend their lead to three goals.

Despite the introduction of star player Kylian Mbappé, Madrid could not find an answer, and a near miss from Rashford left them unable to seal the match before becoming caught in a thrilling finish that could have led to a penalty shootout had they converted their late chances.