Honestly, the Supercopa de España 2024 wasn't just another mid-season tournament played in the desert for a paycheck. It felt different this time. While people love to complain about the Spanish federation taking the trophy to Saudi Arabia, what actually happened on the pitch at the KSU Stadium in Riyadh was, frankly, a masterclass in chaos and clinical finishing. Real Madrid didn't just win; they essentially sent a message to the rest of Europe that their transition period was over.
It was intense.
If you weren't watching the final on January 14, you missed Vinícius Júnior turning the El Clásico into his own personal playground. He scored a hat-trick in the first 39 minutes. Think about that for a second. In a game against Barcelona—the reigning La Liga champions at the time—a guy settles the entire tournament before the halftime snacks are even served. It was brutal. It was fast. It was exactly what Florentino Pérez wants the world to see when he thinks about the "New" Real Madrid.
Why the Supercopa de España 2024 felt like a turning point
Xavi Hernandez looked lost. That’s the reality of it. Barcelona came into this tournament with hope, having beaten Osasuna 2-0 in the semi-final, but they looked like a team stuck in second gear compared to Madrid's V12 engine. The Supercopa de España 2024 served as a brutal reality check for the Catalan giants. While Robert Lewandowski managed to pull one back with a stunning volley, it felt like a flicker of light in a dark room.
Madrid’s path wasn't even that easy. Remember the semi-final against Atlético Madrid? That was arguably the game of the season. A 5-3 thriller that went to extra time. You had defenders like Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy scoring, and then Brahim Díaz literally outrunning Jan Oblak to seal the deal in the 122nd minute. That game drained them, or at least it should have. Instead, they showed up to the final looking like they’d just had a week at a spa.
People often forget that the Supercopa changed format a few years ago. It’s no longer just a "winner of the league vs winner of the cup" two-legged affair in August. It’s a four-team gauntlet. This year featured Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Osasuna. Bringing Osasuna into the mix was great for the "little guy" narrative, but they just couldn't handle the sheer depth of a Barcelona side that, while struggling, still had enough individual quality to win their semi-final match.
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The Vinícius Hat-Trick and the Tactical Collapse
Let’s talk about that high line. Barcelona’s defensive line was so high it was practically in the stands. Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen had no answer for the verticality of Rodrygo and Vinícius. The first goal came just seven minutes in. Bellingham—who has been a revelation since he arrived—played a through ball that carved the defense open. Vinícius rounded Iñaki Peña like he wasn't even there. Easy.
Three minutes later? Same thing. Rodrygo breaks, squares it, and Vini taps it in. It was embarrassing for a club of Barcelona's stature.
The third goal, the penalty, was the nail in the coffin. Ronald Araújo, who usually handles Vinícius better than anyone in the world, finally cracked. He fouled him, Vini converted, and the game was effectively over. Araújo eventually got sent off in the second half, which just added salt to the wound. It wasn't just a loss; it was a total systemic failure of Xavi's tactical setup. He admitted it himself afterward, saying the team lacked "the level of competition required for a final."
Money, Riyadh, and the Logistics
You can't talk about the Supercopa de España 2024 without mentioning the environment. The Saudi fans were loud, but the atmosphere is... different. It’s corporate yet passionate. The RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) makes about 40 million Euros per year from this deal. That’s the "why" behind playing in Riyadh. While fans in Spain hate the travel, the money is what keeps many of the smaller clubs in the Spanish pyramid afloat, or so the official line goes.
Critics like to point out the empty seats in the non-Clásico games. And yeah, Osasuna vs. Barcelona didn't exactly pack the house the same way the final did. But for the Spanish federation, the Supercopa de España 2024 was a commercial success regardless of the optics back in Madrid or Barcelona.
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Key Stats You Might Have Missed
- Real Madrid's 13th Title: They are now just one behind Barcelona's record of 14.
- Vinícius Júnior's History: He became the first Brazilian to score a hat-trick for Real Madrid against Barcelona.
- The Bellingham Effect: Jude didn't score in the final, but his gravity on the pitch opened up every single lane for the frontline.
- Goal Count: 14 goals were scored in just three matches. That’s an average of 4.6 per game. Entertainment-wise, you can't ask for much more.
What this meant for the rest of the 2024 season
Looking back, this tournament was the beginning of the end for Xavi's tenure. You could see the cracks widening. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti just kept chewing his gum and winning trophies. He surpassed Zinedine Zidane in terms of games coached for Madrid during this stint, further cementing his place as the ultimate "man-manager."
The tournament also proved that Rodrygo is just as vital as the bigger names. His unselfishness to set up Vinícius for the second goal showed a maturity that many young stars lack. He doesn't care about the headlines; he cares about the trophy.
The Takeaway
If you're trying to understand the current hierarchy of Spanish football, the Supercopa de España 2024 is your blueprint. It showed a Real Madrid team that can play in multiple gears. They can survive a shootout like they did against Atleti, or they can blitz you in ten minutes like they did to Barça.
For Barcelona, it was a warning. You can't rely on "DNA" and "philosophy" when your opponent has world-class athletes who can run 100 meters in what feels like five seconds. They were outplayed, outthought, and outworked.
Actionable Steps for Football Fans
If you want to keep up with the next edition or understand how this affects the standings, here’s what you should actually do:
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Check the head-to-head records of Ancelotti vs. Xavi (or his successors) specifically in cup formats. Real Madrid has developed a psychological edge in these "winner takes all" scenarios that is worth betting on.
Watch the highlights of the semi-final between Real and Atlético. Most people only watch the final, but the 5-3 semi-final was actually the superior tactical battle. It shows how to break down a Simeone-led defense, which is usually impossible.
Keep an eye on the RFEF's financial reports if you're interested in the business side. The controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales and the Saudi deal didn't stop with his departure; the contract runs through 2029, so get used to these January trips to Riyadh.
Follow the injury reports of the key players involved. A tournament like this, mid-season, in high heat, often leads to a "Supercopa Hangover" in La Liga. See how Madrid and Barça performed in the three domestic games immediately following their return from Saudi Arabia—you'll notice a significant dip in energy levels that savvy fans can use to predict upsets in the league.
Real Madrid won the Supercopa de España 2024 because they were better prepared for the physical toll of the modern game. It’s that simple.