Raphinha shines as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup | OneFootball

Barcelona were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions on Sunday night in Jeddah after edging out Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Clásico, with Raphinha once again proving decisive.

The victory secures back-to-back Super Cup titles for the Catalans and extends their record in the competition to 16 trophies, three more than their great rivals.

A breathless Clásico

The opening half lived up to its billing. Barcelona looked the sharper of the two sides early on, pressing high and dominating possession, particularly down the right through the lively Lamine Yamal.

Their pressure told when Raphinha broke the deadlock, cutting inside from the left and firing a low shot across Thibaut Courtois into the far corner.

Real Madrid struggled to impose themselves collectively but were rescued by individual brilliance. Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of magic, skipping past Jules Koundé before curling a superb finish into the corner to level the score.

The game exploded in stoppage time. Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead, only for Gonzalo García to pounce on a loose ball in the area moments later to make it 2-2 at the break.

Raphinha makes the difference

Madrid started the second half with renewed intensity and went close through Vinícius, who forced a save before blazing the rebound over. Soon after, Rodrygo tested Joan García following a neat exchange with his fellow Brazilian.

Barcelona bided their time, but when the opening came, they took it. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo combined neatly, allowing Raphinha to shift the ball onto his weaker right foot and fire goalwards, with a deflection off Marco Asensio taking it beyond Courtois.

A late red card for Frenkie de Jong gave Madrid hope, but despite sustained pressure and a couple of nervy moments, Joan García stood firm to see Barcelona over the line and secure yet another Super Cup crown.