Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1 in Spanish Super Cup final

Gavi shines in Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid in  Spanish Super Cup final

Barcelona finally won their first trophy under the guidance of manager Xavi Hernandez. The Catalan side got past Real Madrid 3-1 to claim the Spanish Super Cup title.

Xavi surprised somewhat with his formation as he opted to play Ronald Araújo as the right-back and Gavi at the left of the attack alongside Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembélé.

Barcelona were on the front foot from the opening whistle and had a couple of clear goal scoring opportunities that were saved by Thibaut Courtois. The Blaugrana were finally able to break the deadlock late in the second half.

Sergio Busquets won the ball in Madrid’s half and laid the ball off to Dembélé who then gave it to Pedri, who did the same to Lewandowski. The Polish striker then slipped the ball to Gavi who took a touch before rocketing it past Courtois.

Far too often this season, Barcelona have managed to take the lead only to fail to extend it and let the opponent back in the game. On this occasion, at least, they seemed to learn from their mistake.

Busquets started the play once again who found Frenkie de Jong who had to lunge to play the pass to an unmarked Gavi who made the run inside the box. He laid it off perfectly to Lewandowski who simply had to tap it in as Barcelona went into the break deservedly up by two.

Despite Real Madrid trying to get back in the game in the second half, the Blaugrana kept their composure and quickly wrestled control of the match again.

Gavi was once again prominent in the third goal. He won the ball in midfield after a giveaway from Los Blancos. He laid the ball off to Lewandowski who almost took too long to give the ball back. But he did and, inside the area, passed it to Pedri who wasn’t going to miss.

The only blemish for Barcelona is Karim Benzema managed to score a consolation goal in the third minute of added time, denying a clean sheet for Marc-Andre ter Stegen who managed to keep his first shot out but not the second.

But it was too little too late for Real Madrid.

The final whistle blew and confirmed a first of many for Barcelona.

It was their first title since Xavi took the helm, it was the first title for Busquets as captain, the first time they won the Spanish Super Cup under this format and it was the club’s first title since the departure of Lionel Messi.

While some may argue it’s only  the Spanish Super Cup, it has to feel that much sweeter for Barcelona winning it against Real Madrid. They’ll be happy not only for the trophy but in the performance as a whole. It was a dominant display which they’ll certainly look to build upon in their remaining competitions.