Mbappe’s Magic Not Enough as Flick’s Barca Smash Five Past Real

In a Spanish Super Cup final that had more drama than a series finale of EastEnders, Barcelona came from behind to batter Real Madrid 5-2 in Saudi Arabia. With goals flying in from all directions and enough incidents to keep the VAR officials sweating, this was football with a side of pure entertainment.

Mbappé Does It All Himself

The match began with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé deciding to play a one-man show. The French speedster zipped down the pitch from the halfway line like he was late for last orders, calmly slotting the ball past Wojciech Szcz?sny to give Los Blancos an early lead. A stunning goal, but little did he know that the night would spiral into chaos for his side.

Yamal to the Rescue

Barcelona’s reply came courtesy of 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who, frankly, doesn’t look old enough to buy a pint but plays like he’s been doing this for decades. In the 22nd minute, he latched onto a perfectly weighted ball from Robert Lewandowski and drilled a clinical finish into the bottom corner. “Thank you very much,” said Yamal. Game on.

Barcelona Take the Lead – and Then Some

From that moment, Barcelona took control faster than a British mum confiscating a wayward toddler’s sweets.

Lewandowski Converts from the Spot: When Gavi was tripped in the box, Poland’s answer to goal-scoring consistency, Robert Lewandowski, coolly stepped up to bury the penalty and give Barca the lead.

Raphinha’s Bullet Header: Just three minutes later, Raphinha, who clearly brought his head game, smashed in a thumping header.

Balde Piles On: And for good measure, Raphinha turned provider by sending a peach of a cross to Alex Balde, who slotted home Barcelona’s fourth in the 10th minute of first-half stoppage time. Yes, ten minutes—Saudi Arabian clocks, apparently.

Raphinha Again, Szcz?sny Off

The second half began with Raphinha treating himself to another goal, tucking away Barcelona’s fifth just three minutes after the restart. By this point, Real Madrid looked about as organised as a hen do gone wrong. But then came a moment of controversy (what’s a Clásico without one?). Barcelona’s Szcz?sny, feeling a bit too bold, charged out of his box and took down Mbappé. A red card followed, leaving Barça a man down and the Polish keeper trudging off with a face like he’d just been told his car’s been clamped.

Rodrygo Offers Hope, But Real Fall Flat

Brazilian forward Rodrygo curled the resulting free kick beautifully past Barça’s backup keeper Iñaki Peña, giving Real fans a brief glimmer of hope. But despite having a one-man advantage, Madrid never quite got the comeback memo. Instead, they seemed content to huff and puff to no avail as Barcelona claimed their 15th Super Cup trophy.

Flick’s Goal-Fest Record Continues

Hansi Flick, who is settling in nicely as Barcelona’s gaffer, has now overseen two Clásicos filled with goals. Back in October, his side thumped Real 4-0 at the Bernabéu in La Liga, and this Super Cup showdown was no different. The win also marked Flick’s first piece of silverware since his Bayern Munich days in 2020-21. Not exactly a Champions League trophy, but a win’s a win, and Flick will surely take it.

A Night of Madness

So there you have it – a match with more plot twists than a crime thriller. Five Barcelona goals, a red card, some Mbappé magic, and Real Madrid looking, well, a bit lost. As they say in football, it’s a funny old game, isn’t it?