Barcelona mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. Trailing early by a goal from French forward Kylian Mbappe in the fifth minute, Barça turned the tide with four goals in the first half, showcasing a dominant performance.
Lamine Yamal equalized in the 22nd minute, followed by Robert Lewandowski securing the lead with a penalty in the 36th minute. Raphinha extended the advantage with a spectacular header from Jules Kounde's cross, and Alejandro Balde added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time.
The Brazilian forward Raphinha continued to impress in the second half, scoring a fifth goal three minutes after the break, effectively quelling any hopes Real Madrid had of a comeback. Despite Real's Rodrygo finding the net midway through the second half, Barcelona's clinical display ensured their victory.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for Real Madrid in the 56th minute after a foul on Mbappe, leaving Real with 10 men. Barcelona's defense held strong, preventing Real from mounting any further threats. The win marks Barcelona's first trophy in over a year, extending their Super Cup title to a record 15.
Coach Hansi Flick praised his team's resilience and tactical execution after the match, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this level of performance in upcoming games. Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged his team's mistakes but vowed to address them moving forward.
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Barcelona thrash Real Madrid 5-2 in Spanish Super Cup thriller
cgtn.com
