The Spanish Super Cup final needed little introduction: Barcelona vs Real Madrid, once again. Two giants, two positive moments, but very different sensations. On one side, a Barcelona in steamroller mode: nine consecutive wins, five clean sheets in a row, beautiful football and confidence at its peak. On the other, an effective Real Madrid, winning but far from dazzling — relying more on status than dominance.
The 5-0 win over Athletic in the semifinals sent a clear warning. It was not just the result, but the way it was achieved: Raphinha, Fermín, and Bardghji stood out, but above all it was a collective, fluid team, comfortable on the ball. Real, by contrast, passed Atlético without brilliance, doing the minimum necessary. And there was still the elephant in the room: Vinícius Jr. — 19 games without scoring, criticism everywhere, maximum pressure. This match was the perfect stage for him to respond.
The game started open, but the script quickly became clear. Barcelona wanted the ball, wanted to command, wanted to control. Real accepted dropping back and relied on a very specific press: Frenkie de Jong. Gonzalo García, and at times Vinícius himself, marked the Dutchman almost man-to-man, trying to cut off Barcelona’s clean exits.
Even so, possession was overwhelming. By the 20th minute, Barcelona had 75%. Real chased the ball and lived off transitions. Vinícius showed flashes, beating Cubarsí and entering the box, but finishing poorly. On the Blaugrana side, Raphinha and Yamal found spaces, although they missed in the final third.
Then, in the 36th minute, football gave justice to the team in control. Raphinha received the ball, jinked and scored. A deserved goal, completely aligned with what the game was showing.
And here comes the big question: what exactly is Real’s plan? Continue passively, let Barça have the ball… even while losing? The answer came individually. In the 45th minute, Vinícius Jr. reminded everyone who he is. He humiliated Koundé, entered the box and finished with absurd class. A massive goal, at a massive moment, from a player who desperately needed it. Barcelona went ahead again with Lewandowski, in one of those pure striker moves, chipping the ball with perfect class. 2-1. It seemed perfect to end the first half. But… Real Madrid had other ideas.
At 45+6’, chaos in the box, ball hits the post, rebound, confusion, and Gonzalo García scores to equalize 2-2. Half-time. Absurd mentality, typical of a team that never gives up.
In the second half, the game changed pace. Less suffocating possession from Barça, more balance. Real grew a little, Rodrygo tried to appear, and Bellingham remained invisible in the game.
Even so, it was clear Barcelona felt more comfortable. They did not panic, chose the moments better. And in the 73rd minute, the game was decided: Raphinha shoots from the edge of the box, slips, the ball deflects off Asensio and beats Courtois. 3-2. Was it lucky? Yes. But sometimes luck is crucial.
From there, Real tried to react, but without the same clarity. De Jong’s red card in the final minutes gave some hope, but it was not enough. Barcelona controlled and closed out the game.
Post-match
Barcelona confirmed what they had been signalling all along: they are the most solid and confident team in Spain right now. They didn’t just win, they scored three goals against Real Madrid again. Dominant football, clear ideas, players in top form, and a constant sense of control, even when the game strayed from the script.
Raphinha was decisive, Yamal disruptive, and Pedri cerebral. This Barça does not live off young talent alone; it lives off balance.
Real Madrid left defeated, but not humiliated. Vinícius Jr. responded on the pitch, scored a wonderful goal, and was the team’s most dangerous player. Still, that is little for a final.
Bellingham and Rodrygo were invisible, and Mbappé had little influence in the short time he played. Collective play was missing.
Another Super Cup for Barcelona and another serious warning for the rest of the season.