Barcelona edge Real Madrid to retain Spanish Super Cup title

Barcelona outgunned Real Madrid 3–2 in a pulsating Spanish Super Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Sunday ( January 11), defending the trophy in style and becoming the first club in 14 years to lift the title back-to-back.

The El Clásico showdown exploded into life before the break, with four goals in a breathless first half. Raphinha struck first in the 36th minute, drilling home after Barcelona seized control. Real hit back in stoppage time with a stunning solo run and finish, only for Robert Lewandowski to restore Barça’s lead moments later with a clever chip.

There was still time for more drama before the interval, as Real bundled in an equaliser from a corner to make it 2–2 at the break.

The winner arrived in the 73rd minute when Raphinha’s effort took a wicked deflection off Raúl Asencio and left Thibaut Courtois stranded. Late chaos followed — Kylian Mbappé entered the fray, Frenkie de Jong was sent off, and Real threw everything forward — but Barcelona held firm.

Goalkeeper Joan García produced two crucial late saves as Barça sealed their 16th Super Cup crown, once again denying their fiercest rivals on the big stage.