FC Barcelona has kicked off 2025 in style. The Catalans have thrashed rivals 5-2 at Jeddah in the Super Cup final. It was a sensational performance by the boys in red and blue. Let’s analyze the match’s crucial moments.
First Half
Mbappe Scores, Barca Do Not Panic
The game starts, and Barca instantly poses a threat in Madrid’s half. Yamal jumps straight into action and fires a shot from outside the box but is denied by Courtois. Things look good, but suddenly, Kylian Mbappe breaks and opens Madrid’s account with a brilliant finish inside the box, assisted by Vinicius.
However, Flick’s men did not panic. Barca still held onto possession and kept insisting. Pedri, Casado, and Gavi took charge of the midfield. The breakthrough was evident as a magical moment spurred in the 22nd minute. A brilliant through ball by Robert Lewandowski was nicely collected by Yamal. Then, with a mesmerizing shoulder drop, he cut the Madrid defense in half and calmly placed the ball in the bottom right corner. What a goal it was!
Brilliant Barca Run Riot
Flick’s men looked thirsty for goals. They held possession, brought the ball from the back, and looked sturdy in defense. I loved the link-up play of Cubarsi and Lewandowski. The 17-year-old almost always found the no. 9, acting as a pivot in the center.
Things took a turn as Inigo Martinez got injured and made way for Araujo. Real Madrid tried a few tame efforts but looked lousy in passing. Los Blancos were almost caught a couple of times in their half inches away from goal.
Warrior Gavi won a penalty through VAR in the 33rd minute, and Lewandowski converted it brilliantly. A one-goal cushion was successfully obtained, but it was short-lived. Why? Because the Brazilian wonder, Raphinha, thrashed a superb cross by Jules Kounde in the net only 6 minutes later. A few ole’s were heard from the crowd as Yamal and Barca put on a one-sided display of quality football.
Nervous Real Madrid defenders kept fouling Barca’s midfielders as Los Blancos struggled to hold possession. As a result, lots of time was wasted. Referee Gill Manzano awarded 9 minutes of injury time in return.
Injury Time Drama
Rodrygo tried to get a goal before the half ended but missed close range. Barca’s left-back Balde also sprung into action and fired a fantastic shot from his left foot from a wide angle, only to be saved by Courtois.
However, the drama did not end, as Real Madrid won a corner in the last minute of extra time. Luckily, it was wasteful and quickly pounced upon by Yamal. The youngster showed immense class with a nice pause, then looked at options and threaded an accurate through ball for Raphinha. The Brazilian got away with the ball, evading a sprawling Valverde, and assisted Balde, who finished the break nicely. It was 4-1 at half-time.
Second Half
Early Goal And Red Card Drama
Barca looked to further the lead immediately and managed to get the fifth goal just 3 minutes into the second half. It was Raphinha who effortlessly finished a great assist from Casado. It looked all over for Real Madrid when a ray of hope for the men in white arrived.
Los Blancos’ hopes aroused when Mbappe suddenly broke past Barca’s line of defense. He almost looked to score when he was fouled by Szczesny just outside the box. The keeper was red-carded after a VAR decision, and Real Madrid won a freekick in a dangerous spot.
Changes were made, and the brilliant Yamal had to be sacrificed. Olmo came in for Gavi, and Pena took charge of the Barca post. However, he conceded in the very first minute of his arrival as Rodrygo fired a thunderous freekick into the goal and scored. Real Madrid got pumped.
Barca Slow Down The Game
Real Madrid started a big spell of possession. Dani Olmo and Pedri tried to calm things down, but being one man down made things difficult. Flick imposed a brilliant strategy in this situation. He let go of the high line and narrowed down defenders. It was a crucial move as Madrid struggled to get past the Barca defense line and was rendered ineffective.
Ronald Araujo was a rock, as were Cubarsi and Kounde. Olmo, Pedri, and Lewandowski successfully slowed down the game. The Polish striker was brilliant, as his experienced gameplay proved crucial in this situation. Luka Modric came in to break past the Barca ranks, but it didn’t work. Time was ticking down as a few yellow cards and substitutions took place.
Despite a few good efforts from Mbappe, Real Madrid’s attack was successfully negated. Barca managed to beat Real Madrid in a thrilling encounter. There were many heroes in this single game, but Raphinha, Yamal, and Lewandowski took the spotlight.
