Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid: Raphinha’s Brace Seals Spanish Super Cup Glory in El Clásico Thriller

Supercopa de España Final | 11 January 2026

• In a dramatic showdown at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, FC Barcelona clinched the 2026 Spanish Super Cup with a stunning 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid.

• The encounter delivered all the excitement expected of an El Clásico, with five goals, momentum swings, and a standout performance that keeps Barcelona’s silverware momentum alive early in the season.

Raphinha Shines as Barca Take Early Lead

Brazilian winger Raphinha set the tone for Barcelona’s victory with an early strike in the 36th minute, displaying excellent composure and finishing after a patient, probing attack. His opener gave Barça the platform they needed and energised their supporters in the Saudi evening heat.

First-Half Frenzy: Five Goals in Stoppage Time

The first half exploded into chaos during stoppage time:

• Vinícius Júnior equalised for Real Madrid with a brilliant solo effort, cutting inside and finishing with precision to bring the score level.

• Barcelona responded almost instantly, as Robert Lewandowski restored their advantage with a deft chip over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

• Just moments later, young Real Madrid forward Gonzalo García struck to bring the score back to 2–2 before the interval.

  
  

This flurry of goals in a short period highlighted the urgency and quality on display from both sides.

---

• Top 25 Football Defenders in World Football (2025): The Definitive Power Ranking

• Best free-kick takers of all time (no Messi or Ronaldo on top)

• Top 10 Cristiano Ronaldo Records That May Never Be Broken

---

Raphinha’s Winner and Late Game Drama

The defining moment came in the 73rd minute, when Raphinha struck again, this time his effort took a deflection off a defender and beat Courtois to make it 3-2. Despite being reduced to 10 men late in the match after Frenkie de Jong received a red card, Barcelona held firm under intense pressure. Real Madrid pushed hard for another equaliser, introducing Kylian Mbappé in search of a late breakthrough, but Barça’s defence and goalkeeper Joan García stood strong through the closing stages.

Raphinha - MVP of the Final

Raphinha’s brace was the difference in what became a classic El Clásico. His impact on the match extends beyond goals, his movement, work rate, and ability to exploit spaces were central to Barcelona’s attacking threat. In fact, this performance added to his remarkable recent record against Real Madrid, where he has been involved in numerous Clasico goals.

Barcelona’s Resilience

Even after being reduced to 10 men, Barcelona showed calm under pressure, a testament to manager Hansi Flick’s tactical setup and the team’s competitive maturity. This victory marks Barcelona’s third consecutive final win over Real Madrid in major competitions and extends their Supercopa record to 16 titles.

Real Madrid’s Fightback

Despite the loss, Real Madrid showcased resilience and attacking spark. Vinícius Jr.’s stunning solo goal and Gonzalo García’s response before halftime demonstrated their ability to threaten at the highest level. Coach Xabi Alonso noted the need to move on and focus on upcoming challenges, pointing to injury issues and missed opportunities as areas to address.

What the Win Means for Barcelona

Barcelona’s triumph continues their strong head-to-head record in finals against Real Madrid, reinforcing the rivalry’s intensity and significance on the global football stage. Beyond the trophy itself, the first major silverware of the 2025-26 season- this Supercopa title underlines Barcelona’s evolving identity under Flick and sets a confident tone for their domestic and European campaigns.

Final Score

FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid

• Raphinha- 36′, 73′

• Robert Lewandowski- 45'+4′

• Vinícius Júnior- 45'+2′

• Gonzalo García- 45'+6′

  
  

Barcelona:Joan García; Koundé, Balde, De Jong (sent off), Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal, and others.

Real Madrid:Thibaut Courtois; Vinícius Jr., Bellingham, Mbappé (sub), Rodrygo, and others.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Spanish Super Cup final delivered everything fans crave: marquee talent, high stakes, lead changes, momentum swings, and dramatic individual brilliance. Barcelona’s 3-2 victory over Real Madrid will be remembered as one of the most exciting Supercopa finals in recent memory, a showcase of skill, resilience, and football’s timeless drama.

Whether you were cheering for Barça or hoping for a Madrid comeback, this El Clásico delivered a spectacle worthy of the rivalry’s rich history.