Jeddah: Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia.
Raphinha’s 73rd-minute winner came in a fortuitous manner after he slipped while shooting and the shot deflected off Madrid defender Raúl Asencio to fool goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The clasico final featured a hectic end to the first half when three stoppage-time goals were scored before the break, two by Real Madrid and one by Barcelona. Barcelona beat Madrid 5-2 in last year’s final, when Raphinha also scored twice.
It was the 16th Super Cup title for Barcelona, more than any other club. Madrid are second with 13 titles.
Kylian Mbappe, who had missed the semifinals of the mini-Super Cup tournament because of a knee issue, entered the match in the 76th but couldn’t do enough to help Madrid equalize. The France forward missed Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the semifinals on Thursday but then travelled from Spain to Saudi Arabia to be available for the final of the mini-tournament.
Robert Lewandowski also scored for Barcelona. Madrid’s goals were scored by Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia.
The trophy was lifted by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who had been out since November because of private reasons. Spanish media reports said he was on a mental health break.
The Catalan club opened the scoring in Jeddah with Raphinha in a breakaway in the 36th. Madrid equalized with a superb goal from Vinicius two minutes into first-half added time.
Vinicius hadn’t scored in 16 matches with Madrid, since October.
Lewandowski put Barcelona back ahead two minutes after Vinicius’ goal, and Garcia evened the game again three minutes later at the end of the first half.
Madrid had two golden chances to equalize again in added time but couldn’t capitalize on them.
Barcelona reached the Super Cup final by routing Athletic Bilbao 5-0, while Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1.
