Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid
What a contest!
It may have involved a seven-hour trip to reach their destination but the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi is proving something of a boon.
Here was yet another thrilling cup tie to savour.
Here was another El Clasico which kept you engaged from start to the finish as big-hitters Barcelona and Real Madrid gave it their all.
Here was another example of why big bucks were paid to bring the competition to the Middle East.
It went the way the SBOTOP Spanish Super Cup 2022 betting odds had predicted – but only after 123 minutes of Spanish Super Cup 2022 highlights
Highlights of the game
After mixed fortunes for both clubs in La Liga at the weekend, Real started the contest as firm favourites.
After all, they are top of the league and scoring for fun through Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema, who passed 300 club goals last weekend. Indeed, combined they had scored more goals in all competitions this season (36) than Barcelona have as a team (35)!
Yet Barcelona were determined to put on an improved showing in the first El Clasico since the arrival of new manager Xavi Hernandez.
That was clear before a ball was even kicked as they rejigged their squad to be able to hand a debut to new signing Ferran Torres.
Billed as a Saudi Arabian dream come true, the contest between Spain’s two biggest clubs was relentless from the outset.
Twice Madrid led and twice battling Barca battled back before Real made it stick in extra-time.
After Marco Asensio and Vinicius went close, Madrid took a 25th-minute lead through the ever-improving Brazilian.
After gaining possession in the middle of the park, Carlo Ancelotti’s men broke quickly and Benzema played in his strike partner who was clinical, finishing coolly past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The Catalans slowly eased their way back into the match and levelled four minutes before the break, albeit in slightly fortuitous circumstances.
A cross from Ousmane Dembele was headed away by Eder Militao, but the ball was blocked by Luuk de Jong and found its way past Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal via the post.
Xavi brought Pedri and Ansu Fati off the bench at the start of the second half. They looked brighter, with Pedri and Dembele going close, yet the warning signs were there when Benzema twisted and turned before rifling a shot against the post.
The warning was not heeded as the Frenchman restored Real’s lead in the 72nd minute.
Although his initial effort was well-saved by Ter Stegen, Dani Carvajal seized on the rebound and squared it to the frontman, who made no mistake at the second time of asking.
To their credit, Barca again stepped up and, with eight minutes remaining, young talent Fati met Jordi Alba’s floated cross and the teenager headed into the bottom corner of the net beyond a helpless Courtois.
Extra-time beckoned and it was seven minutes into the additional 30 when the decisive moment arrived.
Perhaps less likely was the identity of the match-winner as Fede Valverde controlled a Rodrygo ball, dummied by Vinicius, and finished with real poise to complete a swift counter-attack which began with Casemiro.
The chances continued to arrive.
Sergio Busquets tested Courtois from range before Dembele fired in another shot which the Belgian was equal to.
Rodrygo then sent the ball wide with just Ter Stegen to beat and Fati scuffed an overhead kick in the closing seconds before the final whistle signalled Real’s place in Sunday’s final.
Whether they meet Super Cup holders Athletic Bilbao or city rivals and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, it should be another cracker.
Key statistics
Real have won five consecutive games against Barcelona in all competitions for the second time ever, the first since seven straight wins between 1962 and 1965.
Rodrygo has now set up a goal in his last three El Clasico appearances, becoming only the second Madrid player to do so in all competitions in the 21st century since Mesut Ozil in 2012 and 2013.
By scoring and getting an assist, Benzema became the first Real player to do so in this fixture since Sergio Ramos in May 2009.
What’s next?
Real must wait to see who they will meet in Sunday’s final and then have little time to recuperate as they travel to Elche in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey – that match scheduled for a week today but could be moved.
Barca can now leave Saudi and prepare to face Bilbao in the Spanish Cup next Wednesday (January 19) before a league trip to Alaves on January 23.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
