- Real Madrid thrashed 10-man Barcelona 4-1 in Saudi Arabia to clinch their 13th Spanish Super Cup
- Vinicius Junior stole the show in Riyadh with a first half hat-trick
On Sunday, Real Madrid thrashed 10-man Barcelona 4-1 in Saudi Arabia to clinch their 13th Spanish Super Cup. Vinicius Junior scored a first half hat-trick to set the Los Blancos on their way to glory before Rodrygo sealed the win in the second half.
The Brazilian winger, who recently returned from tearing a hamstring in November, exploited Barcelona’s lackadaisical high line to score twice in the first ten minutes. Robert Lewandowski pulled a goal back for the Catalans in the 33rd minute but Vinicius scored from the penalty spot six minutes later to complete his hat-track and increase Real’s advantage.
Vinicius Jr. scored a hat-trick against Barcelona. Photo/ Goal.com.
Rodrygo then put the game to rest with a 64th minute goal before Ronald Araujo’s second yellow card completely dwindled Barcelona’s hopes of maybe pulling a comeback. Whereas it was a night to forget for Xavi Hernandez and his team, it was a special one for Real Madrid who won their third straight El Clasico and a 13th Spanish Super Cup, just one behind Barca’s record of 14.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona will be back in action on Thursday in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey. The Los Blancos will make a trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid while Barcelona will travel to Unionistas. The two sides will then return to La Liga action on Sunday when Real Madrid host Almeria and Barca make a trip to Real Betis.
How Real Beat Barcelona In Spanish Super Cup Final
After overcoming Atletico Madrid in the semi-final on Wednesday, Real Madrid continued their recent dominance over Barcelona by taking an early lead in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jude Bellingham slipped a perfect pass to Vinicius Jr., who rounded Barca’s goalkeeper Inaki Pena before putting the ball into the back of the net.
Real Madrid once again took advantage of Barca’s risky high defensive line, with Vinicius sliding in the back post to convert after a blistering run by Rodrygo. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were already 2-0 up after just ten minutes of play at KSU Stadium.
Barcelona responded well to the double blow as Ferran Torres’ shot hit the bar before he forced Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to a big save a few minutes later. Lunin made another superb save to deny Lewandowski but he couldn’t stop the rocket from the former Bayern Munich man in the 33rd minute.
With the momentum on their side after pulling one goal back, it seemed as if Xavi Hernandez’s side were going to get an equalizer. However, things went south for them in the 39th minute when Vini increased Real’s advantage to 3-1 from the penalty spot. The referee had pointed to the spot after Ronald Araujo brought the Real Madrid star down in the box. Araujo was booked for the foul.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup. Photo/ The Hindu.
Looking for a way to reduce the deficit, Xavi introduced Joao Felix, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal in the 61st minute. However, Barca were deep into the mess shortly afterwards as Rodrygo scored Real’s fourth goal of the night.
Vini was again involved in this goal as his cross was directed into Rodrygo’s path by Jules Kounde. Things would only get worse for Xavi’s side in the 71st minute when Araujo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Brahim Diaz had the opportunity to score Real’s fifth but he was denied.
Speaking after the 4-1 humiliation in the Spanish Super Cup, Xavi said his side played the worst game while apologizing to the fans.
“We have not shown the level required for a match like this. We played our worst game. We weren’t comfortable at any point. Madrid hurt us on the counter. I apologize to the fans because it was hard for us to compete and we showed our worst side.” Xavi is quoted by BBC Sports.
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