• Raphinha shines as Barça clinches thrilling El Clásico (3-2)

Barcelona claimed the 2026 Spanish Super Cup title after a dramatic 3-2 victory over archrivals Real Madrid in the final held at the “Radiant Jewel” Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday evening.

Both teams delivered a breathtaking spectacle that kept billions on edge, ending with Hansi Flick’s squad lifting the trophy.

A chaotic first half with historic twists

The match began with clear Catalan pressure, and Brazilian Raphinha opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a powerful strike past Courtois.

Vinícius Júnior leveled the score in the 45th minute after an impressive solo effort, but Robert Lewandowski quickly restored Barcelona’s lead in stoppage time (45+1).

In a dramatic moment, young Gonzalo García exploited a defensive lapse to score Real Madrid’s second equalizer in the seventh minute of first-half added time.

Raphinha “man for the big moments”

In the second half, the tactical duel between Xabi Alonso and Hansi Flick continued. In the 71st minute, Raphinha scored the decisive third for Barça with a strike from the edge of the box that deflected off defender Asensio and fooled Courtois.

In the closing minutes, Kylian Mbappé came on for Real Madrid in an attempt to equalize, but Barcelona’s defense, led by Kobarci, held firm.

Late-game drama

The final moments remained tense; Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong received a red card in the 90th minute for a challenge on Mbappé, forcing Barcelona to finish the match with ten men.

Real Madrid pressed hard, and Asensio missed a clear header in the 97th minute, brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Juan García before the final whistle confirmed Barça’s victory.

El Clásico messages

The win confirmed Barcelona’s current technical superiority and marked their first trophy of the season, while Real Madrid demonstrated high fighting spirit despite the loss.

This 263rd encounter between the two clubs serves as a pivotal moment ahead of domestic La Liga and Champions League competitions, in a night that will remain memorable for Saudi and global fans alike.