Vinicius Junior secured a hat-trick in the first half, leading Real Madrid to a resounding 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski managed to score, but the team faced adversity with the second-half dismissal of defender Ronald Araujo, described by coach Xavi Hernandez as their “worst” night.
Rodrygo sealed Real Madrid’s dominant performance, clinching their 13th Spanish Super Cup title and avenging last year’s final defeat to the 14-time champions, Barcelona.
“(Vinicius) needed two or three games to get back to his best level, and he’s back to it,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian manager has achieved parity with Zinedine Zidane, each boasting 11 trophies during their reign at the helm of Los Blancos.
This accomplishment places them behind only Miguel Munoz, who secured 14 trophies in a similar role.
Expressing his satisfaction, Ancelotti conveyed to Real Madrid TV, “I’m pleased with our success, but our focus now shifts to securing the 12th trophy.”
In an attempt to revitalize their season, reigning Spanish champions Barcelona had hoped for a victory, similar to its impact in the previous year.
However, their aspirations were dashed as Vinicius scored two early goals, leading to a convincing defeat for Barcelona.
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“(I’m) disappointed, sad … this is football and today we have to deal with the bitter side of the game,” Xavi told Movistar.
“We had a lot of hope and excitement going into the final and we’ve had our worst game of all of them.”
Xavi opted for a four-man midfield in an attempt to control possession and limit Madrid’s chances to counterattack through the dynamic wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo. Unfortunately, this strategy proved ineffective.
In the absence of winger Raphinha, who sustained a hamstring injury in the semi-final victory over Osasuna, Spain international Pedri was given the starting position.
In an effort to bolster the team, Ancelotti included midfielder Toni Kroos in the lineup, despite facing jeers from the Al-Awwal Park stadium spectators for his previous criticism of players moving from Europe to the Saudi league. This reaction echoed the reception Kroos received during the thrilling semi-final derby win against Atletico Madrid.
The match’s opening goal came in the seventh minute, reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on the league.
Vinicius, who recently returned from injury, received a precise pass from Jude Bellingham, skillfully evaded Inaki Pena, and calmly slotted the ball into the net, prompting memories of Ronaldo’s celebrated moments.
Vinicius paid tribute to Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, Ronaldo, by replicating his iconic jump and spin celebration.
Shortly thereafter, Vinicius capitalized on a well-executed play orchestrated by Rodrygo, who exploited Barcelona’s high defensive line. Rodrygo cut the ball across the box, allowing Vinicius to slide in and score.
Despite Xavi’s team scrambling for a response, Ferran Torres struck the crossbar, and Lunin’s save denied Lewandowski’s follow-up.
In the 33rd minute, Lewandowski delivered a powerful and low volley from the edge of the box, leaving Lunin helpless.
Instead of mounting a comeback, Araujo inadvertently gifted Vinicius an opportunity to complete a hat-trick by fouling him in the box. Vinicius confidently converted the penalty into the bottom left corner, securing his first Clasico hat-trick and doubling his goal tally against Barcelona.
Xavi attempted an attacking triple substitution in the second half, but Madrid extended their lead with a fourth goal. Araujo’s night went from bad to worse as he received a red card for a frustrated foul on Vinicius.
Rodrygo capitalized on a Vinicius cut-back, scoring from the right place at the right time, while Kounde cleared a Bellingham effort off the line.
Xavi acknowledged the need to regroup and focus on the remaining three trophies, emphasizing the role of minimizing errors and not magnifying Madrid’s strengths in the game of football.