Barcelona Crush Real Madrid 5-2: A Century of Glory and Four Historic Records

In the early hours of January 13, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah became the stage for an unforgettable Supercopa de España final. Barcelona delivered a stunning 5-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid, claiming their 15th Supercopa title and marking their 100th trophy in club history. This emphatic win, their second rout of Madrid this season following a 4-0 triumph in La Liga, reaffirmed Barcelona’s dominance in Spanish football while exposing significant cracks in Real Madrid’s armor.

The Battle of Titans: A €2.23 Billion Clash

This edition of El Clásico was billed as a clash of galácticos, with a combined squad value of €2.23 billion. Real Madrid, boasting stars like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo, faced a resurgent Barcelona led by a lethal attacking trio of Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.

Madrid drew first blood in spectacular fashion. In the 5th minute, Mbappé showcased his electrifying pace and skill, covering 45 meters in just six seconds. With eight touches, including a mesmerizing stepover to evade Alejandro Balde, he fired a low shot past Wojciech Szczęsny to give Madrid a 1-0 lead. It was Mbappé’s seventh goal against Barcelona in six appearances and his first in an El Clásico since joining Los Blancos.

Barcelona’s Ruthless Response: 33 Minutes of Chaos

Madrid’s early lead only served to ignite Barcelona’s ferocity. In the 22nd minute, Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation, demonstrated composure beyond his years. Controlling the ball with precision in the box, he slotted a low shot into the corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois helpless. At 17 years and 183 days, Yamal became the youngest scorer in Supercopa final history.

The floodgates opened shortly thereafter. In the 34th minute, Eduardo Camavinga’s reckless challenge on Gavi resulted in a penalty, coolly converted by Lewandowski for his 26th goal of the season. Five minutes later, Raphinha capitalized on a pinpoint cross from Jules Koundé, heading the ball past Courtois to make it 3-1.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Barcelona delivered the coup de grâce. A Real Madrid corner was intercepted, sparking a lightning-fast counterattack. Yamal and Raphinha combined to release Balde, who sprinted the length of the pitch before firing a low shot into the net. In just 33 minutes, Barcelona had transformed a 0-1 deficit into a commanding 4-1 lead.

Second-Half Drama: Goals, Red Cards, and Controversy

Barcelona continued their onslaught after the break. In the 48th minute, Raphinha weaved through Madrid’s defense, leaving Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger in his wake before finishing clinically to extend the lead to 5-1.

The match’s intensity escalated further in the 54th minute. Szczęsny collided with Mbappé in the box, initially escaping punishment. However, after a VAR review, referee Gil Manzano awarded a free kick and issued a straight red card to Szczęsny. Down to ten men, Barcelona introduced backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and midfielder Olmo, sacrificing Yamal and Gavi.

Rodrygo capitalized on the ensuing free kick, curling a stunning effort into the top corner to reduce the deficit to 5-2. Despite this moment of brilliance, Madrid’s comeback hopes were extinguished as the clock ticked down.

The Weight of History: Barcelona’s Four Records

Barcelona’s triumph was more than just a Supercopa victory; it was a landmark moment in their illustrious history.

1. 100 Trophies: Barcelona became the first Spanish club to reach 100 official titles, cementing their status as one of football’s most decorated teams.
2. Supercopa Kings: With 15 Supercopa titles, they extended their lead over Real Madrid as the competition’s most successful club.
3. Flick’s First Glory: Manager Hansi Flick secured his first trophy with Barcelona, adding to his impressive coaching résumé.
4. Five Goals in a Neutral El Clásico: For the first time in history, Barcelona scored five goals in a Clásico played on neutral ground.

Madrid’s Meltdown: Questions for Ancelotti

For Real Madrid, the defeat was a sobering reminder of their vulnerabilities. Defensive lapses, poor midfield cohesion, and a lack of composure under pressure all contributed to their downfall. Camavinga and Tchouaméni struggled to cope with Barcelona’s relentless pressing, while Vinícius Jr. and Bellingham failed to deliver their usual magic.

The camera captured the despondency on Madrid’s bench as the final whistle approached. Vinícius Jr. sat motionless, his expression blank, while Carlo Ancelotti appeared visibly agitated. This was not just a defeat; it was a dismantling that left Madrid’s players and staff searching for answers.

Commentary: A Night to Remember, A Rivalry Reignited

This Supercopa final epitomized everything that makes El Clásico the greatest rivalry in football: breathtaking skill, unrelenting drama, and narratives that transcend the pitch. Barcelona’s victory was a testament to their resurgence under Flick, blending youthful exuberance with experienced leadership.

Yet, the match also highlighted the thin margins that define success and failure in football. For all their individual brilliance, Madrid were undone by collective frailty and lapses in discipline. As the dust settles, the question remains: can Ancelotti’s side regroup and challenge their eternal rivals in the battles to come?

For now, the night belongs to Barcelona—a team that not only reclaimed the Supercopa but also reaffirmed their place at the pinnacle of Spanish football.