Barcelona Retains Super Cup Title in Dramatic Clash

Barcelona successfully defended their Super Cup title in a thrilling encounter held in the Middle East. The match featured a dramatic conclusion to the first half, with three goals scored during stoppage time. Raphinha initially put the Blaugrana ahead in the 36th minute, only for Vinicius Junior to level the score just two minutes beyond the 45-minute mark.

Shortly thereafter, Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead, but Gonzalo Garcia managed to equalize once again in the 52nd minute before halftime. Ultimately, Raphinha netted what would be the winning goal in the 73rd minute.

In a show of sportsmanship, Barcelona applauded Real Madrid as they approached to collect their silver medals. However, the same respect was not reciprocated, as Los Blancos chose to disengage, conversing among themselves while their rivals celebrated lifting the trophy.

Kylian Mbappe was seen on camera advising his teammates against lining up for Barcelona’s procession. Known for his fierce competitiveness, the French international was visibly upset after suffering defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.

Mbappe only entered the match as a substitute in the 76th minute, following questions regarding his fitness due to a recent knee injury. The decision to bring him to Jeddah was made, placing him on the bench for the final.

As Real Madrid attempted to turn the match around, Mbappe’s contributions were minimal, leaving him frustrated after the final whistle. He expressed disinterest in Barcelona’s celebrations.

Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, addressed the media regarding Mbappe’s adjustment to a limited role in this high-stakes match. He explained, “He wasn’t ready to start given the intensity of the match, which is why we opted against it. Kylian was scheduled to come on just before we conceded the third goal. We expected him to create imbalance and provide a threat, but it’s unfortunate we were already trailing.”

Another loss adds to the pressure on Alonso, who faces challenging questions in his inaugural season at the Bernabeu. However, he downplayed the significance of losing in a one-off match outside of Spain, stating, “We must move on quickly. It’s just one game and, of all competitions, it’s the least important. We need to focus on bringing players back and enhancing morale.”

Alonso did, however, express satisfaction with Vinicius’s performance. The Brazilian forward scored a stunning solo goal just before halftime and was a constant threat throughout the match. “Vinicius played exceptionally well and was a game-changer. Although we’re disappointed with the result, we can take some positives as we move forward,” he noted.

With Real Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points in the 2025-26 La Liga title race, they will return to action on Wednesday against Albacete in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.