King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah witnessed an exceptional football night, as Barcelona successfully retained the Spanish Super Cup title for the second consecutive year after defeating their traditional rival Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling match in front of more than 55,000 spectators.
The Brazilian Raphinha scored two goals for Barcelona in the 36th and 73rd minutes, and the Polish Robert Lewandowski added the second goal in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, giving the Catalan team its sixteenth title in the tournament’s history. In contrast, Real Madrid scored its two goals through the Brazilian Vinícius Júnior in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, and the Spaniard Gonzalo García in the sixth minute of the same period. As a result, coach Chapi Alonso remains without a title since taking charge of the Royal Club.
The Saudi Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal, attended the match and crowned Barcelona with the cup, a scene that confirmed the global nature of the event hosted by Jeddah. Real Madrid was unable to capitalize on the sending-off of Barcelona’s Dutch player Frenkie de Jong in the first minute of stoppage time, ending the match with Barcelona’s first victory over their rival this season after losing the first Clásico 2-1.
The match saw the absence of French star Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid’s starting lineup due to not fully recovering from a knee injury, before he came on as a substitute in the 76th minute. Mbappé had joined the team in Jeddah after missing Real Betis in the league and Atlético Madrid in the Super Cup semi-final, while Alonso relied on the young striker Gonzalo García, who had shone by scoring a hat-trick against Betis.
For his part, Barcelona’s German coach Hansi Flick fielded all his key players in an effort to retain the title, which was indeed achieved, allowing the team to continue its successful run in a tournament that last season served as a launching point towards winning both the League and the King’s Cup titles.
Barcelona’s superiority in possession during the first half stood out, reaching 78 percent, compared to just 49 passes for Real Madrid until halftime. Despite the quiet start, the final minutes of the first half provided great excitement with three consecutive goals, before Raphinha sealed the result in the second half with a third goal that confirmed the Catalan team’s dominance.
Despite Mbappé’s introduction in the closing minutes and Real Madrid’s attempts to capitalize on the numerical disadvantage after De Jong’s red card, Barcelona remained the more dangerous side and succeeded in maintaining their lead until the final whistle, allowing their players and fans to celebrate a new title that strengthens their position as one of the most decorated clubs in the Spanish Super Cup.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as the “Shining Jewel,” is a major sports venue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which opened in 2014. It was constructed as part of a broader initiative to develop the country’s sports infrastructure and is primarily the home stadium for the Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli.
Jeddah
Jeddah is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, historically serving as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. Its historic district, Al-Balad, features centuries-old coral stone houses and merchant mansions, reflecting its long-standing role as a vital trading hub. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the Islamic pilgrimage and Indian Ocean trade routes.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of Catalonia, Spain, founded as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí, including the iconic but still-unfinished Sagrada Família basilica. The city’s rich cultural heritage is also reflected in its Gothic Quarter, which preserves medieval structures atop ancient Roman ruins.
Spanish Super Cup
The Spanish Super Cup is an annual football competition contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Originally a two-team fixture played over two legs in Spain, its format was expanded in 2020 to include four teams and is now frequently hosted in Saudi Arabia as part of a commercial agreement.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and famous football clubs, historically renowned for its European success, including a record number of UEFA Champions League titles. The club plays its home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which has been its iconic home since 1947.
Saudi Minister of Sport
The Saudi Minister of Sport is a government position responsible for overseeing the nation’s sports strategy and development. The role has gained prominence in recent years as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to increase public participation in sports and host major international events.
Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal
Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal is a prominent member of the Saudi royal family, known for his business leadership and patronage of motorsports in Saudi Arabia. He is the founder and chairman of the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Company, playing a key role in bringing major events like Formula 1 to the country.
Real Betis
Real Betis is a professional football club based in Seville, Spain, founded in 1907. It is known for its significant fanbase and historic rivalry with Sevilla FC, and the club famously won the La Liga title in the 1934-35 season.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1903. Historically known as a club representing the working class, it has established itself as a major force in Spanish and European football, winning numerous domestic and international titles.
League
The League of Nations was an international organization founded in 1920 after World War I to promote peace and cooperation between countries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, it was the first worldwide institution of its kind but ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II, dissolving in 1946.
King’s Cup
The King’s Cup is a prestigious international football (soccer) tournament held annually in Thailand. It was established in 1968 by the Football Association of Thailand and is traditionally dedicated to honoring the country’s monarchy.
