Barcelona Turns the Tables in a Furious First Half
Football fans got the script twist they didn’t expect at the 2025 Spanish Supercup in Jeddah. Real Madrid struck first with Kylian Mbappé’s early goal, and it looked like the night might belong to the Galacticos. But Barcelona showed zero interest in playing second fiddle. Barcelona answered with Lamine Yamal’s ice-cold solo equalizer, waking the crowd with a finish that screamed confidence beyond his years.
The drama dialed up fast when Pedri toppled in the Madrid box and, after a sharp VAR check, Robert Lewandowski converted the penalty. Real Madrid’s players and fans were stunned, but what came next really killed their momentum. Raphinha, blending his quick feet with predatory instincts, bagged two goals—including a bullet header from Jules Kounde’s cross and a confident finish six minutes after halftime. Right before intermission, Alejandro Balde tacked on a fourth, his low drive putting daylight between the rivals.
The scoreboard flashed 4-1 at halftime. Real Madrid supporters rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Barcelona, meanwhile, looked like a side possessed—relentless, clinical, and thriving under the spotlight. Hansi Flick’s tactical handprints were all over their performance, as he switched from patient buildup to a front-footed, direct approach whenever Madrid’s line creaked.
Raphinha’s Star Shines and Flick’s Mastery Pays Off
The second half didn’t let up on excitement. Early on, disaster struck for Barcelona as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saw red for bringing down Mbappé, leaving Barça a man short. Rodrygo stepped up for Madrid and fired home from the free kick, and with 34 minutes to play and the extra man, Madrid’s hopes of a comeback flared up. But here’s where you saw the real heart of Barcelona’s squad.
Despite their disadvantage, Barcelona’s defensive line held their nerve. Kounde was immense, breaking up attacks time and again, while Raphinha left his mark as the match’s standout with his two clinical finishes. Even with their backs to the wall, Barça never panicked—slowing the game, drawing fouls, and making Madrid chase.
As the final whistle blew, Madrid players looked spent, searching for answers, while Barcelona’s bench exploded in celebration. This was more than just a trophy; it’s a statement for the rest of the season. Flick’s tactics—his ability to combine fast transitions with patient buildup—paid off handsomely. That’s now three Supercups in the cabinet under Flick, each coming against their fiercest rivals, and it puts Barcelona firmly on top in the Clásico arms race.
- Lamine Yamal, at just 17, played as if he owned the Jeddah pitch.
- Kounde’s two assists and defensive display gave Madrid’s attack nightmares.
- Lewandowski’s leadership and assured penalty saw him run the midfield, despite heavy Madrid pressure.
- Balde’s goal right before halftime was a gut-punch for Madrid and a lift for Barcelona spirits.
This Supercup clash offered every bit of drama a football fan could want—early goals, refereeing controversy, star performers, and a manager out-thinking his rival. Barcelona’s 15th Supercopa title comes with swagger, and they’ll look at this night as a marker for what’s possible as the season heats up.
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