Real Madrid qualified for the Spanish Super Cup final, on Wednesday, by defeating historic rivals Barcelona 3-2, in an exciting match held at King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The Clasico started with a clear offensive advantage for Real, who continued and threatened the Catalan team’s goal on two consecutive occasions through Karim Benzema and midfielder Marco Asensio.
The Real succeeded in investing its control and taking precedence with a goal that came in the 25th minute, from a ball that Benzema extracted and then passed to the starting point, Vinicius Junior, who faced goalkeeper Ter Stegen with confidence and hit the net.
#Vinicius_Junior Score a goal for a team #real Madrid in goal #Barcelona After a charming pass from #benzema in the 25th minute#Real_Madrid_Barcelona#Spanish_Super_Riyadh#SSC_channels pic.twitter.com/L4Irc0Pso4
— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) January 12, 2022
After the goal, Barcelona elements felt the embarrassment of the situation and began creating opportunities in front of Thibaut Courtois, who managed to block a dangerous header from striker Luke de Jong, before the latter managed to score the equalizer in the 41st minute, after a ball that defender Eder Militao tried to clear, but it hit the Dutchman and settled. by netting.
#Barcelona He returns to El Clasico and scores a tie through the player #lock_deyoung at minute 41′#Real_Madrid_Barcelona#Spanish_Super_Riyadh#SSC_channels pic.twitter.com/AekUgpUwqy
— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) January 12, 2022
The beginning of the second half came in contrast to the previous one, where Barcelona showed a great desire to shake the nets of Courtois again, and he almost achieved his goal through a strong ball that Pedri shot passed next to the post, and then through a dangerous attempt by Frenchman Othman Dembele, which was not successful.
Real’s lackluster performance prompted coach Carlo Ancelotti to make several changes that brought results quickly, with an attempt led by Brazilian substitute Rodrigo, through which the ball reached Benzema, who shot but his ball hit the post and went outside the limits of the green rectangle.
Only a few minutes passed from his last chance, until Benzema was able to put his team in front again by the 72nd minute, after he followed a rebound from German goalkeeper Ter Stegen inside the Catalan goal, taking advantage of his presence away from defensive oversight.
The second for “merengue” from feet #Karim_Benzema at the 72nd minute
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Barcelona#Real_Madrid_Barcelona#Spanish_Super_Riyadh#SSC_channels pic.twitter.com/4LSOnnozsi— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) January 12, 2022
The excitement and joy of goals continued until the last minutes of the “El Clásico”, as Barcelona continued its search for the score and returned the result to a draw, which actually happened in the 84th minute from a cross sent by Jordi Alba and received by Ansu Fati with a header that lived inside the Madrid goal.
With a strong head… #ansu_fati He rises and scores the equalizer at the 83rd minute.
Real Madrid 2 – 2 Barcelona#Real_Madrid_Barcelona#Spanish_Super_Riyadh#SSC_channels pic.twitter.com/hU295Oz4ak— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) January 12, 2022
The two sides were tied, forcing them to play two additional periods, in the first of which Real Madrid scored a third goal after a quick counter-attack that Uruguayan Federico Valverde ended with a shot with the sole of his foot to the right of Ter Stegen.
With a fantastic pass from Rodrygo and a third goal by #real Madrid By Valverde at the 98th minute.
Real Madrid 3 – 2 Barcelona#Real_Madrid_Barcelona#Spanish_Super_Riyadh#SSC_channels pic.twitter.com/CNy96Fyvt3— Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) January 12, 2022
Barcelona tried to remedy the situation in the remaining minutes, but it collided with a giant goalkeeper of the size of Thibaut Courtois, who excelled in stopping a ball from Sergio Busquets and Osman Dembele and kept his team ahead until the final whistle.
In the final scene, Real will meet the winner of the other semi-final match, which brings together Atletico Madrid with Athletic Bilbao, on Thursday.