Barcelona thrashes Real Madrid 5-2 to win Super Cup as Ancelotti benches Arda Guler
Alejandro Balde (2nd R) of Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish Super Cup final, known as 'El Clasico,' between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 12, 2025. (AA Photo)
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final, with Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti opting to bench Turkish star Arda Guler.
The highly anticipated El Clasico, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Barcelona claim victory despite being reduced to 10 men.
Real Madrid took an early lead in the 5th minute, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe. However, Barcelona quickly responded. Lamine Yamal equalized in the 22nd minute, followed by goals from Robert Lewandowski in the 36th minute and Raphinha in the 39th minute, giving Barcelona a 3-1 advantage.
Alejandro Balde added another goal just before halftime, sending Barcelona into the break with a commanding 4-1 lead.
Barcelona extended their lead shortly after the break, with Raphinha scoring again in the 48th minute to make it 5-1. The match took a turn in the 56th minute when Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off with a red card, leaving the Catalan side down to 10 men.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo pulled one back with a free-kick in the 60th minute, but the comeback attempt fell short.
The match ended 5-2, with Barcelona lifting the Spanish Super Cup after defeating their archrivals.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler remained on the bench for the entire match, following Ancelotti’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup. Guler’s absence was notable, as the young Turkish playmaker had impressed in previous matches, including a standout performance in the Copa del Rey, where he scored twice against Deportiva Minera.
