Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 12 January (H.S.): Raphinha emerged as the undisputed hero on Sunday night, January 11, scoring twice to propel Barcelona to a thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup 2026 final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

First-Half Frenzy Delivers Four Goals

The contest balanced evenly until the closing stages of the opening period, when drama unfolded relentlessly. In the 36th minute, Raphinha infiltrated the penalty area and unleashed a precise low shot, granting Barcelona a 1-0 lead.

Real Madrid responded ferociously in stoppage time's second minute: Vinícius Júnior seized possession near the halfway line, accelerated past two defenders, and executed a clinical finish to level the score at 1-1.

Barcelona reclaimed advantage within two minutes, as Robert Lewandowski received the ball in the penalty area and lofted an exquisite chip to make it 2-1. Undeterred, Real Madrid equalized from a corner; Raphinha cleared perilously off the goal line, but Gonzalo García rifled the rebound off the crossbar and over the line, restoring parity at 2-2.

Raphinha Clinches Victory Amid Late Drama

The second half intensified, with Raphinha striking decisively in the 73rd minute: his long-range effort from outside the box deflected off a defender, deceiving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and nestling into the net for a 3-2 Barcelona lead.

Tension peaked in added time when Frankie de Jong received a red card for fouling Kylian Mbappé, reducing Barcelona to ten men, yet Real Madrid failed to capitalize. In the dying moments, Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio crafted close-range opportunities, only for goalkeeper Joan García to produce superb saves and preserve the triumph.

Barcelona thus secured their 16th Spanish Super Cup title, reaffirming supremacy over eternal foes Real Madrid in this pulsating El Clásico showdown.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar