In a pulsating Spanish Supercopa final that had everything, Barcelona emerged victorious with a dramatic 5-2 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The high-stakes showdown between Spain’s biggest clubs delivered exactly the spectacle that Saudi organizers were hoping for when they secured hosting rights for the revamped tournament through 2029.
Seven-Goal Thriller Showcases Spain’s Best
From the opening whistle, the match was a breathless, end-to-end affair. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring for Madrid inside 5 minutes with a brilliant solo run, but Barcelona’s 19-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal leveled with a fine finish just 7 minutes later. A penalty from Robert Lewandowski and goals from Raphinha and Alejandro Balde had Barça 4-1 up by halftime.
Madrid’s big-money summer signing Kylian Mbappé impressed in flashes but couldn’t prevent his team’s collapse. Further strikes from Raphinha and Rodrygo in the second half completed the 5-2 scoreline, after Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off, as Barça lifted the trophy.
Riveting Clásico Draws Global Attention
The thrilling spectacle, played out in front of 63,000 fans at Jeddah’s Al Jawhara Stadium, once again demonstrated the enduring global appeal of El Clásico. For the Saudis, securing a competitive match-up between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with a trophy on the line, is the main draw of hosting the Spanish Supercopa in the Middle East.
“For us [Saudis], football belongs to two countries: Brazil and Spain.”
– Fahad, a local driver and security guard
Uncertain Season Adds to the Drama
Sunday’s result blows the LaLiga title race wide open, with Barcelona and Real Madrid trading places at the top of the table all season. Atletico Madrid currently lead the way, meaning any of Spain’s “Big Three” could be crowned champions. After a dominant start, Barça’s form had dipped, allowing Madrid back into contention, but the Catalans proved their resilience with this emphatic Supercopa success.
Contrasting Fortunes for Coaches and Stars
For Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, this was a critical and hugely satisfying victory as he reshapes an ageing squad. Rising stars like Yamal and Balde shone on the big stage, while veteran scorer Lewandowski again proved his enduring quality. In contrast, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was left “sad and disappointed,” lamenting his team’s uncharacteristically slack defending after a humbling defeat.
The Supercopa triumph marks another step in Barcelona’s rebuilding project as they look to re-establish themselves as Spain’s preeminent force under president Joan Laporta and club legend Flick. For the Saudis, it was a night that encapsulated exactly why they are investing so heavily to bring El Clásico to Jeddah and Riyadh each year – unparalleled drama from the world’s biggest clubs on a truly global stage.
