Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Spanish Super Cup final

Barcelona win their first title since former participant Xavi took over because the staff’s coach in 2021.

Barcelona gamers have a good time with the trophy [Hussein Malla/AP Photo]

Barcelona have received the Spanish Tremendous Cup for the primary time because the competitors was revamped and moved to Saudi Arabia with a 3-1 victory over Actual Madrid.

Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and Pedri scored a objective every at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh on Sunday to present Barcelona its first Tremendous Cup trophy since 2018, and the primary because the match’s Last-4 format started in 2020 in a profitable deal for the Spanish soccer federation.

It was additionally Barcelona’s first title since former participant Xavi took over because the staff’s coach in 2021, and since Lionel Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain.

Actual Madrid’s Brazilian ahead Vinicius Junior vies with Barcelona’s Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, left, in the course of the Spanish Tremendous Cup ultimate soccer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 15, 2023 [Fayez Nureldine/AFP]

Gavi opened the scoring within the thirty third minute from shut vary after a move by Lewandowski, who doubled the lead after an help by Gavi in a breakaway simply earlier than the top of the primary half.

Gavi additionally arrange Pedri’s close-range objective in one other breakaway within the 69th.

Karim Benzema scored a comfort for Madrid late in stoppage time.

This was Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s first defeat in a ultimate since 2014.

Barcelona have now received the Tremendous Cup a document 14 instances. Madrid have 12 to their title.

“We knew it was an opportunity we needed to take, now we have lived via an period of modifications on the membership and within the dressing room, and this can reinforce us to maintain combating for extra titles,” stated Barca captain Sergio Busquets.

“You know the way [Gavi] competes, he’s very younger. Most gamers at his age can be within the youth staff, and he’s taking part in at an unbelievable stage, giving assists, getting targets.”

Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates after he scored in the course of the ultimate of the Spanish Tremendous Cup between Barcelona and Actual Madrid in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 16, 2023 [Hussein Malla/AP Photo]

Madrid eradicated Barcelona in final season’s semi-finals, however the Spanish powerhouses had by no means met within the ultimate of the revamped competitors.

The Tremendous Cup was once performed between the Spanish league champion and the Copa del Rey winner. Now the runners-up in each competitions additionally take part.

Madrid performed because the league champion and Barcelona because the league runner-up.

The present contract to play the Tremendous Cup in Saudi Arabia runs via the 2024-25 season.