In the semi-finals of this season's Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid and Barcelona defeated their respective opponents to meet in the final. In the first leg of the Spanish national derby in the season, the Galacticos suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Barcelona at the Bernabeu. Now, facing each other again, the goal of the Real Madrid players was only one: to seek revenge and win the championship. After the start of the match, Mbappe helped Real Madrid get off to a dream start, but then Barcelona launched a massacre mode, eventually washing away the Galaxy Battleship with a 5-2 victory and winning the Spanish Super Cup championship!
Under Flick's tutelage, Barcelona's performance at the beginning of this season was very impressive. However, as the schedule progressed, they gradually lost their magic and gave up the top spot on the league standings. In order to continue the strong performance against Real Madrid in the previous game, Flick did not hold back at all. In the 433 formation, Szczesny guarded the goal, with Kounde, Kuba, Inigo, and Balde forming the defense, Gavi, Casado, and Pedri taking charge of the midfield, and Amal, Lewandowski, and Rafinha forming the attacking trident.
In stark contrast to Barcelona's high start and low finish, Real Madrid's overall performance has improved significantly after Mbappe gradually integrated into the team system. In order to avenge the previous defeat, Ancelotti also adopted the 4231 system in this championship battle. The starting goalkeeper was Courtois, with Mendy, Rudiger, Tchouameni, and Vazquez forming the defense, Camavinga and Valverde partnering as double defensive midfielders, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Rodrigo lined up in the midfield, and Mbappe as the lone striker.
After the start of the game, Amal and Rafinha continuously created scoring opportunities, which were all resolved by Courtois. After withstanding the opponent's fierce attack at the beginning, Real Madrid took the lead in the 6th minute. Mbappe used his personal ability to force his way into the penalty area and scored a shot, helping the Galaxy Battleship take a 1-0 lead.
However, the following game completely entered the offensive rhythm of Barcelona. In the 22nd minute, Amal dribbled from the right flank, cut inside, opened up the angle, and calmly shot, with the ball grazing the post into the net, equalizing the score to 1-1. At 17 years and 183 days old, Amal became the youngest player to score in the Spanish Super Cup final. In the 36th minute, Kamavenga fouled Gavi in the penalty area, and the referee awarded Barcelona a penalty, which was converted by Lewandowski to make it 2-1.
Just three minutes later, Real Madrid suffered another blow. Kounde sent a precise long pass from midfield, and Rafinha, who understood the intention, headed the ball into the Real Madrid penalty area, breaking Courtois' ten-finger barrier once again and extending the lead to 3-1.
Before the end of the first half, Real Madrid's goal was breached again. After a successful defense, Barcelona quickly counterattacked. Full-back Balde faced Courtois rushing out and calmly pushed the ball into the far corner, helping Barcelona return to the locker room with a huge lead of 4-1.
Unwilling to suffer a crushing defeat, Real Madrid almost pulled one back after the restart of the game, but unfortunately Rodrigo's shot hit the frame and bounced out. Then Barcelona quickly organized a counterattack, with Rafinha dribbling into the penalty area and scoring a low shot past Tchouameni, changing the score to 5-1.
Real Madrid, who did not give up, launched an attack in the 55th minute. Mbappe got past Szczesny and was brought down, and the referee reviewed VAR and sent off the latter with a red card, putting Barcelona in an unfavorable situation with one less player. Subsequently, Rodrigo directly scored from a set-piece, reducing the deficit to 2-5, but unfortunately could not change the outcome of the crushing defeat and loss of the title.
In this Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona, who won their first championship of the season, directly nailed the Galaxy Battleship to the pillar of shame. Real Madrid created three shameful records in one game: firstly, for the first time, they conceded at least four goals in two consecutive national derbies; secondly, it has been 82 years since they last conceded four goals in a half against Barcelona; thirdly, it is the first time in Real Madrid's history that they have conceded four goals in a half in a final.