FC Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid 5-2 in the Supercopa de España final, held on January 12, 2025, at the King Fahd International Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This emphatic victory not only secured the trophy for Barcelona but also marked the first silverware under newly appointed coach Hansi Flick.
The match began with high drama. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for Real Madrid just five minutes after kickoff, showcasing his skill with a well-placed shot following a dynamic counterattack led by Vinicius Junior. Many had expected Real Madrid to seek redemption after their previous humiliations against Barcelona, particularly the 4-0 defeat endured earlier in the La Liga season.
Barcelona, undeterred by the early setback, responded quickly. Lamine Yamal leveled the score at 1-1 after just 16 minutes with a deft finish, reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s renowned style. A quick passing move facilitated by Jules Kounde set up Yamal perfectly for his goal.
Following this, momentum shifted entirely toward the Catalans. Barcelona earned a penalty after Gavi was fouled by Eduardo Camavinga, with Robert Lewandowski confidently converting it to put his side 2-1 up just before the halftime mark.
The barrage continued as Raphinha quickly struck to extend the lead to 3-1. Following another brilliant assist from Kounde, Raphinha scored again, and by the time halftime came, Barcelona had knocked four goals past Real Madrid, leading 4-1 at the break.
With the second half underway, Real Madrid struggled to regain their footing. Things went from bad to worse for them when Wojciech Szczesny received a red card for pulling down Mbappe just outside the penalty box, leaving Barcelona to navigate the remainder of the match with ten players.
Yet, Barcelona remained calm. Raphinha scored his second goal of the match shortly thereafter, making it 5-1, demonstrating the seam between Barcelona's attacking depth and Madrid's fragile defense. Rodrygo managed to pull one back for Real Madrid via direct free-kick late on, but it did little to dampen Barcelona's celebratory spirit.
This was not just any victory; it was one deeply rooted within the passionate rivalry of El Clasico. Coach Hansi Flick emphasized the win's significance, stating, “We demonstrated our ability and the resilience of our squad. This trophy is just the start.” His counterpart Carlo Ancelotti was left to ponder, remarking on defensive frailties: “We allowed them to score too easily. We must regroup; this cannot continue.”
The match highlighted young talents and seasoned stars alike, with Lamine Yamal, at just 17, showing flashes of brilliance and promising future as he assisted and scored during the encounter.
Barcelona's victory cemented their dominance, marking their fifteenth Supercopa de España title and leaving many questioning the strength and strategies of their rivals as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
Overall, this match will be remembered not only for the high scoreline but for the tactical intricacies and emotional passions it stirred within fans of both teams. Barcelona's readiness to flex their offensive muscle against their rivals was on full display, setting the stage for future clashes.