Rafinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid for the second year running with a 3-2 win in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona have retained the Spanish Super Cup in thrilling fashion 3-2 classic win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia.
Rafinha struck twice for the Catalans on Sunday, with Robert Lewandowski also on target as they beat Xabi Alonso’s side to a record-extending 16th win despite Frenkie de Jong’s late red card.
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After Rafinha sent Barcelona ahead, Vinicius Junior drew Madrid level with a superb individual goal to cap a frenetic end to the first half in Jeddah.
Lewandowski put Barca back in front, but Gonzalo Garcia struck in stoppage time to send the teams into the break.
Rafinha’s deflected effort decided the battle after 73 minutes as Barca claimed the fourth trophy of coach Hansi Flick’s career.
His Madrid counterpart, Xabi Alonso, started with French superstar Kylian Mbappe on the bench after missing the semi-final win over Atletico with a knee injury.
Hansi Flick, who led Barca to four wins over Madrid in four Clasicos last season, replaced Lewandowski ahead of Ferran Torres and brought teenage star Lamine Yamal back to the right wing.
It was a poor start in the heat of the Saudi Arabian evening, with Barcelona retaining the ball and Madrid sitting deep to counter them as Vinicius Junior looked for them on the counter.
The Brazilian had not scored in his previous 16 games, but was a threat flying down the left and forcing Joan Garcia into the first save.
Rafinha also got back to slide over his compatriot when Vinicius tried to break.
Barca started to turn up the heat on Madrid and Rafinha got the breakthrough after 36 minutes.
Moments after the winger badly squandered a good chance, he made up for it with a low, early strike past Thibaut Courtois and just inside the bottom corner.
Madrid pulled level with a superb Vinicius strike, floating down the left, nutmeging Jules Conde and past Garcia.
Barcelona went ahead four minutes into first-half stoppage time, Lewandowski heading home after being played in by Pedri.
However, Madrid hit back quickly before the break with Gonzalo Garcia, finishing well as Dean Huijsen’s header bounced off the crossbar.
is slowing down
The second half was quiet, with chances few and far between as the teams slowed down.
Garcia saved from Rodrigo Goes’ low effort, while Courtois beat a Yamal strike.
Mbappe was warming up when Barcelona came forward, Rafinha’s shot from outside the box deflected off Raul Asensio and Courtois had no chance to leave.
The Brazilian has been in terrific form and it was his seventh goal in the last five games in all competitions.
Alonso sent on Mbappe for the final 15 minutes, trying to find a third goal and forcing a penalty shootout.
The French forward was unable to score, but Barça midfielder De Jong was sent off for a high lunge on him.
Despite Madrid’s numerical advantage, Barca had the best chance in stoppage time, with Marcus Rashford scoring in goal.
Asensio would have equalized at the death, but pounced straight at Garcia.
The last four winners of the Spanish Super Cup have claimed La Liga and Barcelona will be hoping it proves a platform for success once again.