- Real Madrid defeated arch-rivals Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup
- Vincius Jr. scored a hat-trick before Rodrygo wrapped things up
- CHRIS SUTTON: I suspect Jadon Sancho will outlast Erik ten Hag at Man United – It all starts
Jude Bellingham won his first trophy as a Real Madrid player when his team defeated Barcelona 4-1 in Riyadh in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.
It was last season’s Spanish League winners Barcelona against Spanish Cup winners Real Madrid, and it should have been close, but they were world class in a match that saw Xavi hold on to his job as Barcelona coach.
Vinicus was the star of the show with a first-half hat-trick that will have nightmares for Barca defenders, especially Ronald Araujo, in the coming weeks.
Bellingham needed just seven minutes to put their stamp on the match. It was his defensive pass that freed Vinicius.
The England midfielder had two Barcelona players above him in the center circle, but his assist went past them both and behind Jules Kounde, who had accidentally stepped out, leaving Vinicius with a free run.
The Brazilian finished Inaki Pena and scored the opener. It was Bellingham’s sixth goal of the season.
Vinicius Jr scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup
The Brazilian scored his third goal from the penalty spot shortly before halftime
Vinicius made sure the trophy was safe as he found the net three times in the first half
Three minutes later, Vinicius had doubled the lead with his second. Rodrygo sprinted from the halfway line to Dani Carvajal’s long pass and as he crossed to the back post Vincius slid in to finish.
Barcelona had been their own worst enemy with such a high and disorganized defensive line, now the climb back into the game looked very steep. They took the first steps through Ferran Torres who hit the crossbar and then forced a nice stop from Andriy LUnin with his feet.
When Barcelona pulled a goal back, it was Torres’ attacking partner who scored. Robert Lewandowski had taken up an unusual position on the edge of the area as Alejandro Balde crossed from the left. Ferland Mendy headed the ball clear, but the ball fell to the Polish striker who hit it perfectly and with power, so that Lunin, although he had his fingertips on it, could not prevent it from hitting the back of the net.
However, it was one stop forward and one back as when Ronald Araujo pulled Vinicius down with an arm around his neck as he was about to deliver a cross, he stepped up to score the penalty himself and a 38th minute hat-trick to complete. He had scored just three in the previous 15 Clasicos and Araujo at right-back had played a part in that, but that night the Uruguayan chased the shadow of his nemesis and couldn’t get close.
Jude Bellingham assisted the opener as he continued his fine work for the Spnaish giants
Bellingham was shown a yellow card just before half-time for a tackle that caused Pedri to go down. But that, and Lewandowski’s goal aside, it had been the perfect half for Real Madrid.
Madrid looked comfortable on the restart with two Bellingham backheel movements, highlights of long periods of possession.
Xavi had seen enough by the hour mark and Joao Felix, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal came in, while Pedri, Ferran and Sergio Roberto made way. Felix immediately drew a foul and a yellow card for Antonio Rudiger, but the changes didn’t work as Madrid scored next.
Fede Valverde flew to the left and crossed to Vinicius on the other wing. Crossing for Bellingham, Kounde got the first but his weak ball went straight to Rodrygo who made it 4-1.
Los Blancos made easy work of their arch-rivals as they claimed another piece of silverware
Can things get worse for Barcelona? Araujo made sure they did. He was shown a yellow card when he gave away the penalty in the first half. With a wild swing he missed the ball and took out Vinicus’ ankle, leaving the referee little choice but to give him a second yellow card.
There was also a card for Ferran Torres to protest. Carlo Ancelotti then urged Vinicius to stay focused on the match. He had a back and forth with the substituted Sergio Roberto. His job was done, he no longer had to deal with the Barça bench.
Madrid should have scored a fifth, but substitute Brahim Diaz and Bellingham were unable to finish after another mistake from Kounde. Felix then tested Lunin, but he blocked well and justified his selection ahead of Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Everything had gone well for Madrid, so well that, as the clock ticked, Ancelotti was able to start thinking about Wednesday’s Spanish Cup tie against Atletico Madrid – both Valverde and Bellingham were sent off. Bellingham started it with that pass. Vinicius and friends had finished it, Ancelotti had his eleventh trophy as Madrid coach and Bellingham his first.