Barcelona have a good time their 3-2 victory over Actual Madrid. Photograph: AFP
JEDDAH:
Barcelona retained the Spanish Tremendous Cup with an entertaining 3-2 Clasico win over Actual Madrid within the remaining right here on Sunday.
Raphinha struck twice for the Catalans with Robert Lewandowski additionally heading in the right direction as they beat Xabi Alonso’s staff for a record-extending sixteenth triumph, regardless of Frenkie de Jong’s late pink card for a foul on Kylian Mbappe.
The French ahead may solely characteristic within the remaining levels as an alternative after a knee sprain, with the defeat prone to deliver again current doubts round Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s future.
After Raphinha despatched Barcelona forward, Vinicius Junior pulled Madrid degree with a high-quality particular person purpose to kick-start a frenetic finish to the primary half in Jeddah.
Lewandowski chipped Barca again in entrance, however Gonzalo Garcia struck deep in stoppage time to ship the groups in degree on the break.
The battle was determined by a deflected Raphinha effort after 73 minutes, as Barca claimed the fourth trophy of coach Hansi Flick’s reign.
Alonso remains to be in search of his first after arriving in June, and Madrid’s run of 5 consecutive wins throughout all competitions was delivered to an finish by their arch-rivals.
“No matter manner you lose it hurts, but it surely’s clear that this was a really even recreation, hotly competed, with a little bit of every thing,” Alonso informed Movistar.
“We had been very near equalising, we fought it out till the tip, and I’ve to congratulate Barca.”
Barcelona thrashed Actual Madrid 5-2 in final season’s remaining, additionally on the King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis stadium, however this was a far nearer affair.
Flick, who led Barca to 4 Clasico wins over Madrid final season in 4 clashes, opted for Lewandowski up entrance over Ferran Torres and introduced teenage star Lamine Yamal again in on the precise wing.
It was a scrappy begin within the Saudi night warmth, with Barcelona preserving the ball and Madrid sitting deep to withstand them, whereas trying to discover Vinicius Junior on the counter.
The Brazilian had not scored in his earlier 16 matches however supplied a potent risk, flying down the left and forcing Joan Garcia into the primary save.
Barcelona started to show up the warmth, and Raphinha discovered a breakthrough after 36 minutes.
Moments after the winger fired a high-quality probability badly huge, he made up for it with a low, early strike from simply inside the realm, throughout Thibaut Courtois and into the underside nook.
Actual Madrid pulled degree with an outstanding Vinicius strike, floating in from the left, nutmegging Jules Kounde and slotting residence.
Barcelona went again forward 4 minutes into first-half stoppage time, with Lewandowski dinking previous Courtois after being performed in by Pedri.
Nonetheless, Madrid quickly hit again simply earlier than the interval by way of Gonzalo Garcia, who completed nicely whereas falling after Dean Huijsen’s header bounced again to him off the crossbar.
The second half was a calmer affair, with fewer probabilities because the groups slowed down.
Mbappe was warming up on the sideline when Barcelona nosed forward, with Raphinha’s shot from outdoors the field deflecting in off Raul Asencio to depart Courtois with no probability.
The Brazilian is in excellent type and it was his seventh purpose in his final 5 matches throughout all competitions.
Alonso despatched on Mbappe for the final quarter-hour, looking for a 3rd purpose and power a penalty shoot-out.
The French ahead couldn’t get a sight of purpose however Barca midfielder De Jong was despatched off for a excessive lunge on him.
Regardless of Madrid’s numerical benefit Barca had the perfect probability in stoppage time with Marcus Rashford firing huge when by way of on purpose.
Asencio may need grabbed an equaliser on the demise however headed straight at Garcia.
The final 4 winners of the Spanish Tremendous Cup have gone on to say La Liga and Barcelona will likely be hoping it proves a platform for fulfillment as soon as once more.
They’ve gained 10 straight video games throughout all competitions and lead La Liga, regardless of an inconsistent begin to the season.
