Barcelona won the Spanish Supercup in dramatic style, winning 5-2 against eternal rivals Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The spectacle put on by the Catalans brought the trophy home, but it was also a spectacle of the team under Hansi Flick at its peak, with the perfect blend of collective and individual performances. Among those outstanding players, Raphinha was the brightest shining star who, by his two goals and an assist that night, became the key to this win at nighttime, a one to be remembered in the annals of El Clásico.
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Raphinha: the big game player
Brazilian winger number 11 proves to be the real big-game player. With two goals, one assist, and a crucial role in coordinating the plays, Raphinha was rightly awarded the MVP of the match as he justified every second he spent on the pitch. His involvement in decisive moments has shown how much he has grown under Flick's guidance. The first goal was a pinpoint header following an exquisite cross from Koundé, but that was just the prelude to a personal masterclass.
But the crowning moment of his evening was the goal when he left Courtois frozen, outmaneuvering Tchouaméni with a sublime dribble. More than the team victory, Raphinha's display boosts his standing in European soccer. At 28, he has recorded 19 goals and 28 direct goal contributions in a total of 27 games, beating all his previous bests. In a league that boasts technicality in football, the Brazilian is proving he is in the same class as the rest by scoring consistently against any opposition. His 2024/25 season will be remembered not only for the goals but also for how he became the heart of one of Europe's finest attacks.
Barça from start to finish
From the start, Barcelona gave no room for doubt. By half time, they were four goals in and Real had not seen it in a match since 2006. Precise plays and silky-smooth offenses make all the difference. Balde, who himself scored an almost unstoppable goal by taking advantage of the counter attacking initiative by Raphinha and Yamal, depicted the organization and intensity Flick has set up in his squad. This is what Szczesny's rash foul, in this case allowing Rodrygo for a goal briefly kept hope up in Real Madrid. Yet, consistency from Barcelona soon snuffed the air out of any hoped-for comeback.
Hansi Flick: the mastermind behind the victory
Head coach Hansi Flick continues to prove his standing as one of soccer's best thinkers. His second consecutive victory against Real Madrid in a clásico and a trophy in his first final with Barcelona are not small feats. Flick succeeded not only to tactically shape the team but also encourage them to strive with merciless intensity until the final whistle as part of its success. While underlining that a unity among his charges was their great strength, the result in Jeddah was testimony to that collaborative effort.
"We are a team. You see it after winning, but it is always there. We stick together and learn from each game. For big clubs, the aim is to win titles, and that's what we're working towards. We are very happy and proud, but we have to keep proving we are the best in every game."
Catalan domination of the Supercup
The 5-2 win sends Barcelona to victory in the 15th Supercup titles in Spanish; it further consolidated their lead to Real Madrid.
This victory adds more importance for it has exposed the dominance of Catalonia this season as they have been crowned the superior class after defeating their fierce rivals 4-0 on Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga. Barcelona makes clásicos a showcase for their superiority.
Weaknesses expose in Real Madrid
While Barcelona enjoys its moment of glory, Real Madrid faces a much darker reality. The loss exposed defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of cohesion during critical moments. Even with stars like Mbappé and Rodrygo on the roster, Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed alarming disarray. Szczesny’s red card was the most glaring example in a match riddled with poor decisions and insufficient resistance to Barcelona’s superiority.