Real Madrid secured their place in the Spanish Super Cup final on Thursday by triumphing over Mallorca with a 3-0 victory at the Radiant Jewel Stadium in Saudi Arabia. This victory has set the stage for an exhilarating Clásico against Barcelona this Sunday.
During the first half, Real Madrid dominated possession but struggled to generate significant chances. Mallorca adopted a defensive strategy, crowding their penalty area to thwart Madrid’s advances.
The breakthrough for Real Madrid came in the 63rd minute. Rodrygo’s initial shot hit the post, and Kylian Mbappé’s attempt off the rebound was saved by Mallorca’s goalkeeper, Dominik Greif. However, Bellingham successfully netted the ball from 6 yards out, breaking the deadlock.
Real Madrid further solidified their victory with two stoppage-time goals. In the 93rd minute, Martin Valent inadvertently scored an own goal after a sweeping pass from Diaz. A couple of minutes later, Rodrigo sealed the win with a close-range chip-in.
Overall, Real Madrid outperformed Mallorca with 28 shots compared to their opponent’s 8, along with holding 65% possession.
Barcelona Advances to Final With Goals From Yamal & Gavi
Barcelona also advanced to the final of the Spanish Super Cup with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Rising stars Gavi and Lamine Yamal each found the back of the net for Barcelona, who played without Dani Olmo due to the revocation of his playing license.The semi-final came too soon for Olmo to join in, even though the Spanish national sports council (CSD) granted provisional permission for registration earlier on Wednesday.
Barcelona immediately took the initiative, pressuring their opponents, and it took only 17 minutes for them to take the lead. Gavi secured the first goal with a well-placed shot following an assist from Alejandro Balde.
Yamal had an opportunity to add a second when Raphinha’s shot was saved, but a lob attempt went awry. He redeemed himself in the second half with a stunning drive past Unai Simon, marking Barcelona’s second goal.
As the semifinal looked almost decided, Hansi Flick opted to rest Yamal for the upcoming final, substituting him out mid-second-half. Athletic tried to rally with the introduction of Nico Williams.
The strategy nearly paid off, with Inaki Williams close to scoring in the final moments of regulation for Athletic Club, but he was ruled offside. The match concluded with a 2-0 score, sealing Barcelona’s comfortable victory.
This match marked Wojciech Szczesny’s second start in a Barcelona jersey, where he made some crucial saves to deny Inaki Williams in the first half.
Super Cup Final Preview
This marks the third consecutive Super Cup final between these teams, having split victories in the previous two encounters. This year might serve as a decider for the two rivals who have dominated Spanish football for years.
In the 2023 final, Barcelona secured the title with a 1-3 win over Real Madrid. Goals from Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, and Pedri led the team to victory, marking their first Super Cup triumph since Lionel Messi’s departure.
In 2024, the two teams clashed again on January 14, and this time it was Real Madrid who took control. Real Madrid triumphed with a commanding 4-1 victory over Barcelona. Vinícius Jr. was phenomenal in the game, netting a hat-trick in this unforgettable win.
This year, Barcelona has proven to be the superior side, securing a decisive 4-0 victory in their late October matchup. Many anticipate this momentum to carry on into Sunday’s game, as Barcelona’s young talents continue to showcase their prowess.
