Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona secured their 16th Spanish Super Cup title with a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in Jeddah
- Raphinha was instrumental for the Catalans, netting twice including the decisive goal in the 73rd minute
- Hansi Flick maintained his flawless record in finals, guiding Barça to an eighth success out of eight
Match Overview and Tactical Insights
Barcelona captured a record-extending 16th Spanish Super Cup after overcoming Real Madrid 3-2 in a dramatic final held in the Saudi city of Jeddah. The contest, another action-packed El Clasico saw Raphinha repeat his heroics from last year by scoring two goals for the Catalan side – opening the scoring in the 36th minute and sealing the result in the 73rd.
💥 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀 💥 pic.twitter.com/Hv7Z67Npo5
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 11, 2026
The final, staged at a frenetic pace, featured no fewer than three goals in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Vinícius Júnior equalised for Real Madrid with a spectacular effort in the 45+2′ minute, before Robert Lewandowski immediately restored Barça’s advantage (45+4′). In yet another twist, Gonzalo García levelled for the Madridistas just two minutes later (45+6′), sending the teams into the interval at 2-2. Raphinha’s second goal ultimately decided the tie, while the closing seconds saw Barça reduced to ten men after Frenkie de Jong received a straight red card for a rash challenge on substitute Kylian Mbappé.
First Half: Goals Galore in Added Time
The opening exchanges were lively, with Vinícius Júnior proving a constant threat down Real’s left flank. Barcelona, controlling more of the early possession, struggled initially to carve out clear opportunities until Raphinha drew a strong save from Thibaut Courtois in the 27th minute. The breakthrough arrived just after the half-hour mark, as Raphinha finished cleverly through Aurélien Tchouaméni’s legs following an assist from Fermín López.
Momentum then swung rapidly in the final minutes of the first period. Vinícius Júnior danced through several defenders before unleashing a brilliant strike for 1-1 (45+2′). The parity lasted seconds, with Pedri releasing Robert Lewandowski, who slipped the ball past Courtois (45+4′). The wild sequence continued: Dean Huijsen’s header was desperately cleared off the line by Raphinha and struck the bar, only for Gonzalo García to react quickest and restore parity once more at 2-2 (45+6′).
Second Half Drama and Decisive Moments
After the break, Vinícius Júnior continued to pose problems and forced Joan García into a crucial stop. Barcelona had their sights set on reclaiming the advantage, with Raphinha missing a free-kick and Lamine Yamal denied by Courtois. As tempers flared following a hard foul by Raúl Asencio on Pedri in the 56th minute, several players found themselves booked by referee José Munuera.
The deadlock was broken again in the 73rd minute when substitute Dani Olmo set up Raphinha, whose effort took a significant deflection off Raúl Asencio and nestled into the Real net. Real Madrid responded by introducing Kylian Mbappé and David Alaba, but the Catalan rearguard and the exceptional Joan García preserved Barça’s slender lead, with the keeper making crucial interventions in the closing moments.
Frenkie de Jong’s late dismissal for a strong challenge on Mbappé left Barcelona with ten men for stoppage time. Real spurned two late opportunities: Marcus Rashford fired wide in a one-on-one, while Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio were both thwarted by García’s heroics.
Statistical Highlights and Recent Head-to-Head Record
With this result, Barcelona have now triumphed in three of the last four Spanish Super Cup finals against their fiercest rivals: 3-1 in 2023, 5-2 in 2025, while Real won 4-1 in 2024. Counting last season’s Copa del Rey final, Barça have secured three consecutive victories in major finals over Real Madrid. Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona have claimed four trophies, with the German maintaining a flawless 8-from-8 record in finals.
In recent direct encounters, Barcelona have taken five wins from their previous six clashes with Los Blancos, several by convincing margins, although Real Madrid did prevail 2-1 in the last meeting prior to this final.
| Spanish Super Cup Wins | Barcelona | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Total Titles | 16 | 13 |
| Final Meetings (2023-2025) | Win 3-1 (2023), Win 5-2 (2025) | Win 4-1 (2024) |
Team Line-ups and Tactical Tweaks
Manager Hansi Flick made two changes from Barcelona’s semifinal win over Athletic Bilbao, reinstating Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in place of Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji. Raphinha and Fermín López filled the other attacking positions, while Pedri and Frenkie de Jong marshalled midfield.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso opted for a three-man defensive line, making a solitary change as Dean Huijsen started instead of Antonio Rüdiger. Kylian Mbappé was kept in reserve at kick-off, with Gonzalo García leading a frontline supported by Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior. Aurélien Tchouaméni featured in central defence, with Federico Valverde positioned as a right wing-back.
Key Performers
Raphinha’s brace made him the match-winner for Barcelona, while Vinícius Júnior starred for Real Madrid, continuously troubling the Catalans’ defence and netting a marvellous solo goal. Joan García’s goalkeeping proved decisive, with several late saves ensuring Barça lifted silverware in Jeddah.
