You know how some games just feel like they're written by a Hollywood screenwriter who’s had way too much caffeine? That was the last game barcelona vs real madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. Honestly, if you missed the action on January 11, 2026, you missed one of the most chaotic 45-minute stretches of football we’ve seen in years.
Jeddah was the backdrop. The King Abdullah Sports City stadium was packed—60,326 fans to be exact. And for a while, it looked like Barcelona might just cruise. But El Clásico is never that simple, is it?
The Raphinha Show and That Wild First Half
Raphinha is basically playing on a different planet right now. He opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a shot that honestly felt like it shifted the air in the stadium. Bottom-right corner. Precise. Clinical.
Then, things got weird.
Between the 45th minute and the whistle for halftime, we saw three goals. Three. In about six minutes of madness.
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- Vinícius Júnior reminded everyone why he’s still terrifying, dancing past Jules Koundé and Pau Cubarsí to equalize.
- Robert Lewandowski didn’t let that stand for long, dinking a gorgeous ball over Thibaut Courtois after a world-class find from Pedri.
- Gonzalo García then decided to ruin Barca's halftime talk by poaching a rebound off the crossbar in the 6th minute of stoppage time.
2-2 at the break. People were still buying snacks and missed half of it.
Why the Second Half Felt Different
After that "everyone-score-at-once" frenzy, the second half was more about chess than a street fight. Hansi Flick clearly told his guys to breathe. Barcelona started hogging the ball—Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were basically playing "keep away" in the middle of the park.
Barcelona ended the night with 68% possession. That’s a lot of running for a Real Madrid side that usually thrives on the break. Xabi Alonso, trying to find a spark, threw on Arda Güler and eventually Kylian Mbappé. Yes, Mbappé was there, but he’s been easing back from a minor knock and only got about 15 minutes. He had one big chance, but the Barcelona wall held firm.
The breakthrough came in the 73rd minute. Raphinha again. A bit of luck involved? Maybe. His shot took a deflection off Raúl Asensio and skittered past Courtois. It wasn't the prettiest goal he’s ever scored, but in the last game barcelona vs real madrid, it was the one that mattered.
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Tactical Breakdown: What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think Madrid lost because of the defense, but looking at the stats, it was more about the engine room. Barca's top seven players in terms of touches were all in Blaugrana. Jules Koundé had 110 touches. Alex Balde had 48. They squeezed the life out of the game.
Madrid’s xG (Expected Goals) was actually decent at 1.39, but they only had 12 shots compared to Barcelona's 16. It felt like Madrid was always reacting rather than acting. Even with the late introduction of Franco Mastantuono and Dani Ceballos, the rhythm was just gone.
Key Match Facts
- Final Score: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Man of the Match: Raphinha (2 goals)
- Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero
The "Alonso vs. Flick" Factor
There’s a lot of talk about Xabi Alonso’s style compared to the legendary Mourinho era. Some call him "Alvaro Arbeloa-esque" in his defensive setups, but honestly, he faced a Barcelona team that has now won 11 straight games.
Hansi Flick has turned Barca into a winning machine. This was their 16th Supercopa title, and more importantly, their third consecutive final win against Real Madrid. That hasn't happened before. Ever.
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What This Means for La Liga
Right now, Barcelona sits four points clear at the top of the table. Madrid is chasing, and they look a little tired. The gap isn't huge, but the psychological blow of losing a final—especially one where you fought back twice—is heavy.
Madrid has a quick turnaround with a game against Monaco in the Champions League on January 20. Barca, meanwhile, is heading to face Real Sociedad. If you’re a betting person, the momentum is clearly with the Catalans. They aren't just winning; they're dominating the "big moments."
To keep up with the title race, keep an eye on the injury reports for David Alaba and Fede Valverde, as both took some knocks in this physical encounter. Real Madrid needs their veterans back at 100% if they want to overturn that four-point deficit in the league.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 73rd-minute goal again to see how Raphinha finds space in a crowded box.
- Monitor the fitness of Kylian Mbappé ahead of the Champions League restart.
- Mark May 10, 2026, on your calendar—that’s the next scheduled El Clásico in La Liga.