Raphinha netted two goals as Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid with a score of 3-2 in a thrilling Clásico held on Sunday, successfully defending the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian forward scored the decisive third goal in the 73rd minute, marking Barcelona’s third consecutive final win against Madrid under Hansi Flick, following previous victories in last season’s Supercopa and Copa del Rey.
The final 20 minutes were tense after a chaotic first half that saw three stoppage-time goals following Raphinha’s opener in the 36th minute.
Initially, Vinícius Júnior equalized, then Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead, only for Gonzalo García to make it 2-2 before halftime.
Madrid introduced Kylian Mbappé in the second half after his knee injury, but it was Raphinha who emerged as the match hero, as Madrid missed key late opportunities to equalize after Frenkie de Jong had received a red card.
— Sam Marsden
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Barcelona Clinches First Trophy of the Season, Avenge October’s Clásico Loss
Barcelona can now consider their prior LaLiga defeat to Madrid in October a minor setback. Having previously won all four Clásicos last year, there were signs earlier this season that the momentum was shifting after Xabi Alonso’s side recorded a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Consequently, the Barcelona players were eager to demonstrate their dominance over their fiercest rivals, which they achieved in Jeddah on Sunday.
For much of the match, Barcelona was in control, holding nearly 70% possession by the final whistle. Raphinha’s goal was deserved, while Madrid’s two equalizers felt like unexpected setbacks.
Madrid did have opportunities on the counter-attack, with both teams finishing with eight shots on target. However, Barcelona’s expected goals (xG) of 2.6 significantly exceeded Madrid’s 1.38, indicating they created higher-quality chances.
This victory marks Barcelona’s fourth trophy under Flick. He discussed how last season’s Supercopa victory set the stage for subsequent wins in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. With Barcelona currently four points clear at the top of the league, they look poised for more silverware, although the players remain eager for the UEFA Champions League, which they are desperate to win.
— Marsden
Vinícius Júnior Shines, Ending 16-Game Goal Drought
With Mbappé only fit enough for the bench, more pressure fell on the shoulders of Vinícius Júnior, another one of Madrid’s star players, to perform.
However, the Brazilian had gone 16 matches without scoring, an unprecedented slump, and his impact had waned to the point of being booed by the Bernabéu crowd. His earlier performance in the semifinal in Jeddah was marred by a notable exchange with Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone.
But in the second minute of added time before halftime, Vinícius found the ball and turned back the clock. Out on the left, he took on Jules Koundé, dazzling him before nutmegging the right back, driving into the box, and finishing low past Joan García. His goal celebration was a burst of emotion, as he raced to strike the corner flag.
Vinícius needed this goal, and so did Real Madrid. At the start of the second half, he appeared reinvigorated, twice almost adding to his tally against a struggling Koundé. However, as the game wore on, he became less of a threat and was substituted for Arda Güler.
Although Vinícius’ goal didn’t change the outcome, it allowed him to break his goal drought. For Real Madrid, the positive takeaway is that one of the world’s premier players may have found his rhythm again. Whether this resurgence is sustainable remains to be seen.
— Alex Kirkland
Madrid’s Defensive Strategy Nearly Pays Off
Real Madrid approached the match with a decidedly cautious, defensive formation. As Barcelona pressed forward, Madrid often settled into a deep defensive block, with Federico Valverde dropping back to form a five-man defense.
Naturally, Barcelona exerted dominance, controlling 76% of possession in the first half. Madrid’s strategy was understandable given their absence of key defenders like Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger, and their recent struggles.
After suffering heavy defeats to Barcelona last season, including a 5-2 loss in the 2025 Supercopa final, Madrid aimed to avoid a similar defeat, especially considering the precarious position Alonso finds himself in, where a significant loss could threaten his job security.
In that sense, Madrid achieved a small victory by avoiding such a humiliating defeat. They competed well, earning some respect while losing by just a goal.
However, the conservative approach does not fit the dynamic style expected from an Alonso team, and it will be met with criticism if consistently applied, as it seems uncharacteristic for a team of Madrid’s stature.
While the strategy managed to keep Madrid in the game until the end, when they squandered two precious opportunities to equalize in stoppage time, this defensive template cannot be relied upon in the future.
— Kirkland
Raphinha’s Impressive Goal Streak Continues
Raphinha has a knack for delivering against Madrid. It’s worth noting that Barcelona’s loss in their first Clásico under Flick in October coincided with Raphinha’s injury absence.
This time, Madrid faced no such luck, as Raphinha returned at the end of November, gradually regaining peak form. He issued a warning to Madrid with two goals in the semifinal against Athletic Club and almost scored early in Jeddah, missing a chance after a well-placed pass from Lamine Yamal.
Quick to make an impact, he opened the scoring in the first half and scored the match-winner, albeit with a fortunate deflection. Nevertheless, Raphinha’s efforts were well-deserved.
His recent record is impressive: seven goals and three assists in his last six games against Madrid, including two finals in the Supercopa and one in the Copa del Rey.
With 11 goals in 19 games this season, maintaining Raphinha’s fitness will be essential for Barcelona if this trophy serves as a catalyst for greater success this season. His contributions extend beyond goals and assists; his relentless work ethic enriches both the attack and defense.
— Marsden
Barcelona’s Defensive Streak Falls Short
Barcelona’s five-match clean sheet streak in all competitions, their longest since 2020, may have been somewhat misleading, as demonstrated against Madrid.
While Vinícius deserves applause for his fantastic equalizer, analysts will scrutinize the defensive lapses leading up to it. Koundé’s role in the goal is questionable, as he allowed Vinícius to slip past him. His performances this season have not met expectations, and young defender Pau Cubarsí, who should have supported him, appeared absent during the play.
The defending for the second goal was equally concerning, with Cubarsí again failing to manage a corner effectively. Meanwhile, Pedri, who had just provided an assist for Lewandowski’s goal, lost track of García. Barcelona’s complaints about extended stoppage time might have been better directed at their own defensive lapses.
Flick has work to do in shoring up the backline. Whether the signing of attacking fullback João Cancelo will enhance this remains to be seen, but for neutrals, it promises exciting matches like recent Clásicos.
— Marsden
Alonso’s Future in Question
What does this defeat mean for Real Madrid’s coach, Xabi Alonso?
Alonso has been under pressure several times but has managed to steer clear of disastrous outcomes. Following tough losses to teams like Celta Vigo and Manchester City, Madrid rallied to win three matches before Christmas, allowing Alonso to keep his job through the holiday. In their first game back in 2026, Madrid won 5-1 against Real Betis, followed by a close 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid in the Supercopa semifinal. Then came the 3-2 defeat to Barcelona.
This latest defeat lands Alonso back at square one. Doubts about his ability linger among club officials, as recent performances have not been substantial enough to change their minds. Madrid has been competitive but not consistently impressive.
Unless there is an unexpected turn of events—always a possibility at Real Madrid—it appears Alonso will likely retain his position, albeit under scrutiny. To shift the tide, the team must not only win but do so with a clear, engaging style that reflects their future.
“We have to move on as soon as possible,” Alonso remarked afterward. “This is the least important competition we play in. We have to focus ahead.”
— Kirkland