Barcelona retained the Spanish Super Cup with an entertaining 3-2 Clasico win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Raphinha struck twice for Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski also on target as they beat Real Madrid for a record-extending 16th triumph, despite Frenkie de Jong’s late red card for a foul on Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe could only feature in the final stages as a substitute after a knee sprain, with the defeat likely to bring back recent doubts around Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s future.
After Raphinha sent Barca ahead Vinicius Junior pulled Madrid level with a fine individual goal to kick-start a frenetic end to the first half in Jeddah.
Lewandowski chipped Barcelona back in front but Gonzalo Garcia struck deep in stoppage time to send the teams in level at the break.
The battle was decided by a deflected Raphinha effort after 73 minutes, as Barcelona claimed the fourth trophy of coach Hansi Flick’s reign.
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Alonso is still looking for his first after arriving in June, and Madrid’s run of five consecutive wins across all competitions was brought to an end by their arch-rivals.
Barca thrashed Madrid 5-2 in last season’s final, also at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, but this was a far closer affair.
The last four winners of the Spanish Super Cup have gone on to claim LaLiga and Barcelona will be hoping it proves a platform for success once again.
The Catalans have won 10 straight games across all competitions and lead LaLiga, despite an inconsistent start to the season.
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