Barcelona edge Real Madrid in El Clásico to lift Spanish Super Cup

Barcelona once again had the final say in El Clásico , edging Real Madrid 3-2 to lift the Spanish Super Cup in a thrilling final played in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Powered by a brace from Raphinha, the Catalan club clinched a record-extending 16th Super Cup title and reaffirmed its recent dominance over its fiercest rivals.

Raphinha proved decisive with the winning goal in the 73rd minute, capitalising on a moment of fortune. Slipping as he struck the ball, the winger saw his shot deflect off defender Raúl Asencio and wrong-foot goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, sending the Barcelona fans in Jeddah into celebration. It was another memorable Clásico performance from Raphinha, who had also scored twice in last year’s emphatic 5-2 Super Cup final win over Madrid.

“ We gave everything we had,” Raphinha said after the match. “I was emotional at the end. We needed a win like this .”

The final was marked by a frenetic end to the first half, with three goals scored in stoppage time alone. Barcelona had taken the lead in the 36th minute when Raphinha finished a swift breakaway, but Real Madrid responded dramatically. Vinícius Júnior equalised two minutes into added time with a brilliant solo effort, splitting defenders before scoring from close range to end his 16-match goal drought.

Barcelona quickly regained the advantage through Robert Lewandowski, only for Madrid to strike back again moments later, Gonzalo García levelling the score before the interval to make it 2-2 at the break.

The second half remained tense and open, with both sides pushing for a decisive goal. Barcelona eventually found it through Raphinha’s fortunate strike, while Madrid struggled to find a late response despite introducing Kylian Mbappé in the 76th minute. The French forward, returning after missing the semifinals with a knee issue, could not change the outcome.

Madrid came close in added time, creating two clear chances, but failed to convert. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off deep into stoppage time, though it did little to alter the final result.

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo, back after an absence since November, lifted the trophy as the Catalans celebrated another title in Saudi Arabia. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso struck a measured tone afterward, calling the Super Cup “the least important competition” and urging his players to move on quickly.

Barcelona reached the final by thrashing Athletic Bilbao 5-0, while Madrid edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their semifinal. The triumph also made Barcelona the first league champion in eight seasons to win the Super Cup and the first club to successfully defend the title since Pep Guardiola’s side between 2010 and 2012.

Off the pitch, Spanish federation president Rafael Louzán confirmed that the 2027 final will be staged in either Qatar or Kuwait, with Saudi Arabia set to host again from 2028 through at least 2030.