Raphinha Double Inspires Barcelona To Victory Over Real Madrid

LONDON, Jan 12 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in a pulsating Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, reported PA Media/dpa.

Real twice hit back after falling behind, but the Brazilian’s second goal in the 73rd minute settled Sunday’s contest.

A lot of the drama came in first-half stoppage time as Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia struck equalisers for Real, either side of a fine Robert Lewandowski finish.

Barca were reduced to 10 men when Frenkie de Jong was sent off in time added on at the end of the game, but Real could not reply for a third time.

Both sides were fully committed to attack, but it was not until the 14th minute that either side created a clear-cut chance as Vinicius broke through on goal but shot straight at Joan Garcia.

The game exploded into life just before the half-hour mark when Raphinha tested Thibaut Courtois with a fierce shot, and Fermin Lopez blasted over.

Madrid threatened as Gonzalo Garcia got behind the defence, only to shoot tamely at Joan Garcia. Raphinha should have given Barca the lead when he raced onto a fine first-time through-ball from Lamine Yamal, but skewed his shot horribly wide.

The Brazilian made amends just moments later as he was picked out by a defence-splitting pass from Lopez. This time, he got his feet right and buried a low shot past Courtois.

Pedri forced another save from Courtois before a dramatic period of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Vinicius equalised with a superb individual effort as he weaved past Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi to slot home.

Barca reclaimed the lead as Pedri fed Lewandowski, and the veteran Pole brilliantly flicked over the advancing Courtois.

The celebrations did not last long as Real levelled before the break. Dean Huijsen thumped a header against the woodwork, and Gonzalo Garcia reacted quickly to clip in.

Vinicius forced a save from Joan Garcia early in the second half, but the pace eventually dropped, and tempers briefly frayed during a scrappy spell.

Barca picked up the tempo with 20 minutes remaining, and Yamal tested Courtois with a good strike.

They regained the lead as Raphinha found space outside the box and lined up a shot. He slipped as he made a connection, but the ball took a deflection and looped over Courtois into the net.

Real responded by sending on Kylian Mbappe, who was back on the bench having initially been left out of the travelling squad due to a knee injury.

Mbappe drew the foul which led to De Jong’s dismissal, but Real could not level as Alvaro Carreras and Raul Asencio failed to beat Joan Garcia.

Barca substitute Marcus Rashford also spurned a good chance at the other end.

--BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa