Real Madrid 4-1 FC Barcelona: Vinicius hattrick floors Spanish champions, as Los Blancos register 13th Spanish Super Cup triumph

Real Madrid has defeated FC Barcelona in the repeat of last year’s Spanish Super Cup final as a blitzkrieg first-term hattrick from Vinicius led Los Blancos to their 13th Spanish Super Cup triumph. For the Catalan giants, it was star striker Robert Lewandowski who presented a brief challenge for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, but Ronald Araujo’s red card was the final nail in the coffin for Xavi’s men, who are currently undergoing a rough phase.

Real Madrid ran riot against arch rivals FC Barcelona

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona always delivers to the heavyweight name of El Clasico, as the Spanish heavyweights rekindle their centuries-old rivalry, to get past each other, be it in a League game, or in any competition like Copa Del Rey or Spanish Super Cup. Roused by the significance these two teams possess in world football, a Barcelona versus Real Madrid clash would always be mouth-watering. Last night was not an exception either as it was Real Madrid who prevailed over their opponents, with Vinicius adding his Brazilian flair with a hattrick, followed by a Rodrygo goal, which completed the rout. Both teams were coming on the back of historic performances with Real Madrid edging past crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 after completing a turnaround from being 2-3 down, and FC Barcelona sweeping past Osasuna, banking on a blend of youth and experience after goals from Robert Lewandowski and La Masia prodigy Lamine Yamal setting the drill for the final game.

Vinicius opens the scoring

With a high-octane clash on the cards, both sides were tempted to play their strongest eleven to the fore, but Xavi had to tweak his side a little after winger Raphinha got injured in their game against Osasuna, thus prompting him to go with four midfielders on the line. He started with Lewandowski spearheading the attack, who was flanked by Ferran Torres and Pedri on the wings, as midfield duties were vested upon Roberto, De Jong and Gundogan. Defense was thronged with the famous quartet of “B-A-C-K”, having Balde, Christensen, Araujo and Kounde, with Inaki Pena between the sticks.

As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti named his starting line-up with Rodrygo and Vinicius on the attack, followed by the famous midfield quartet of Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos and Bellingham, with defensive duties resting upon Nacho, Carvajal, Mendy and Rudiger, with a slight change between the goal, as Lunin guarded the goal in place of Kepa.

Barcelona decided to employ a high-line of defense, but invited their own perils in following that tactic, as Vinicius and Rodrygo exploited that technique to their use. Bellingham spotted Vinicius sweeping past the last line of defense, thus sending a weighted pass towards the Brazilian star. He caressed the all perfectly with his classy dribbles, sending Inaki Pena down the haywire, as he turned and slotted the ball past him, thus hitting Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuuu” celebration in front of the crowd.

Vinicius doubles the lead

Barcelona decided to set the offside trap once again but failed miserably in defending Vinicius, who seemed to have activated his beast mode. But, this time, it was Rodrygo who timed his run across the right flank perfectly, thus making his way into the Barcelona box. Towards the far post, it was Vinicius once again, who perilously waited for the pass from his compatriot, as he slotted the ball past inclining Catalan defenders Araujo and Kounde, with Pena being hapless with this onslaught.

Lewandowski scores, but Real scores more

With a trail of 0-2 within the first ten minutes, Xavi quicky shifted to his normal formation, thus going for the attacking stance, as two minutes later, Ferran tried to smack his shot past Lunin, but the rebound from Lewandowski was saved by the Ukrainian stopper. As a result of their intent, Barca clawed their way back in the game, with Lewandowski scoring a world-class banger to pull one back. It was on the 33rd minute, when Mendy went for clearance of the ball, which rose up in air, as Lewandowski met for the ball in his first chance, thus reducing the deficit, with his low shot.

Vinicius completes hattrick

Just when Barca had thought of a well-earned comeback, it was Vinicius again who played the perfect spoilsport when he pounced upon Barca defense to score his third goal of the night, thus handing Real an unassailable lead of 3-1. He made a staggering run into the penalty box, thus finding the low right corner of the net, with Pena diving on to the right direction, only to see the ball going past him, thus having a surmounting pressure.

With a second half promising to be more enthralling with Yamal, Felix and Fermin subbed on, Rodrygo appeared to rub salt to their wounds, when he completed the perfect night for Los Blancos, when Vinicius went for his fourth, but the ball, after initial defending by the Catalans, fell to his Brazilian mate Rodrygo who etched his name on the score sheet, after his ball rattled the Barca net, thus giving them an upper hand on the trophy.

To add to the woes, Barca went down to ten men after Araujo was shown a second yellow card, thus ending a disastrous night which saw a complete turnaround from their previous year’s fortunes.