JEDDAH: Barcelona retained the Spanish Super Cup with a thrilling 3-2 Clasico win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Raphinha struck twice for the Catalans with Robert Lewandowski also on target as they beat Xabi Alonso’s team for a record-extending 16th triumph, despite Frenkie de Jong’s late red card for a foul on Kylian Mbappe.
The French forward could only feature in the final stages as a substitute after a knee sprain, with the defeat likely to raise doubts around Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s future.
After Raphinha sent Barcelona ahead Vinicius Junior pulled Madrid level with a fine individual goal to kick-start a frenetic end to the first half in Jeddah.
Lewandowski chipped Barca back in front but Gonzalo Garcia struck deep in stoppage time to send the teams in level at the break.
The battle was decided by a deflected Raphinha effort after 73 minutes, as Barca claimed the fourth trophy of coach Hansi Flick’s reign.
Alonso is still looking for his first after arriving in June, and Madrid’s run of five consecutive wins across all competitions was brought to an end by their arch-rivals.
“We’re very happy, another trophy, it’s always a big game against Madrid,” Lewandowski told Movistar.
“We played well in the first half, the second too, we were looking for more goals but we won and that’s the most important thing.”
The last four winners of the Spanish Super Cup have gone on to claim La Liga and Barcelona will be hoping it proves a platform for success once again. – AFP
