On January 12, 2025, Barcelona and Real Madrid played in the SuperCopa final in Saudi Arabia. Within five minutes after the game started, Real Madrid fans celebrated as Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid’s starting striker, found the back of the net, letting Madrid take the lead 1-0. The Madridista’s happiness didn’t last for long as shortly after, Barcelona’s striker Robert Lewandowski assisted 17-year-old wonder boy Lamine Yamal, after he found the gap in between the defenders to score, putting Barcelona and Madrid at 1-1. 

Unfortunately for Madrid fans, minutes later,  Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga conceded a foul to Barcelona midfielder Pablo Gavi. Lewadowski scored the penalty against Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, allowing for Barcelona to take the lead in the final 2-1. In the 38th minute, Barcelona’s right back, Jules Kounde, played a beautiful ball with his right foot that landed perfectly to the head of left winger Raphinha, Raphihna finished the ball at the back of the net with his head, making the score 3-1 in favour of Barcelona. In the 44th minute, Raphinha got the ball and lost possession, but luckily, left back Alejandro Balde was behind him and quickly got the ball back and found his way to the net, scoring Barcelona’s fourth point (4-1). 

After halftime, left-winger Raphinha kept his momentum and did not disappoint. At the 47th minute mark, he dribbled past the whole defense line and scored a world class goal. While the score was 5-1, Real Madrid had lost all hope. Newly signed goalkeeper to Barcelona, Wojciech Szczęsny, committed a foul on Kylian Mbappe at the 53 minute mark, and the referee decided  it was a red card. As a result, Szczęsny was sent off the field, replaced by Iñaki Peña. Real Madrid’s fans’ hopes were raised once winger Rodrygo Goes took a free kick for the foul committed by Barcelona. Rodrygo seized the opportunity and

scored the free kick in the top corner, making the score 5-2. Madridistas were happy they scored, but their odds were not exactly promising with a three-point deficit. Sure enough, FC Barcelona earned the win at the 90-minute mark with a score of 5-2.  Real Madrid is down 2-0 from El Classicos this season. Many Madridistas expect to see a win from Madrid. STA sophomore and Real Madrid fan Christian Merren says, “Real Madrid has been disappointing in these past Classicos, but hopefully they learn from their mistakes in the future and win more.’’

(Lewandowski celebrating a goal with Lamine Yamal)

Photo- @fadel senna, AFP