Real Madrid clinched the Spanish Super Cup Title with a 4-1 win over rivals Barcelona at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday to claim their 13th title in the competition.
Vinicius Junior netted a first half hattrick before Rodrygo added the side’s fourth to put the game to rest, while Robert Lewandowski grabbed the consolation for Barcelona.
The initial minutes of the game saw both sides knocking on each other’s door as both sides pushed up the field in search of the opener but it was Madrid who took the lead as Jude Bellingham released Vinicius lurking behind the defence.
With seven minutes played, the Brazilian beat the offside trap before rounding the Barca custodian to put the ball into an empty net.
Barcelona’s defensive frailties were on display as Madrid doubled the lead in less than ten minutes as Vinicius found the back of the net for the second time in the game as he met Rodrygo’s low cross across the face of the goal with a slide to watch the ball roll past the goal line to evoke loud cheers from the Los Blancos faithful in attendance.
Madrid seemed to have had good value for their advantage as Barca went in search of their first goal of the game to cut the arrears before the game got away from them, but Madrid’s defence held steady and tidy!
However, the Madrid resistance was broken just past the half-hour mark as Robert Lewandowski was at hand to pummel home a half-volley from the edge of the box following a poor clearance out from Ferland Mendy.
But, just as things seemed to have gone the way of the Catalan side, Madrid restored their two-goal advantage in the 37th minute as Vinicius converted from the spot to complete his hat-trick in the first half of the game.
The Brazilian lined up to take the set piece and made no mistake in smashing the ball home into the net beyond a diving Inaki Pena.
It was the second hattrick for Vinicius at the fabled Spanish club as the 23-year-old proved to be the difference between the sides heading into the tunnel.
Barca got the second half underway with Xavi’s words still ringing in their ear and looked to push the ball upfield in search of their second goal of the day.
But, just after the hour mark, Rodrygo Goes’ side-footed strike put Madrid three to the good and in absolute command!
Things went from bad to worse for Barcelona in the 70th minute as they were reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card to Ronald Araujo.
Madrid could have further humiliated their rivals, but the Culers defensive unit had learned their lesson and maintained decent line. Madrid kept pushing despite the lead before the referee’s whistle went to signal the end of the game!
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