The game: 3-1
There was no duel this Sunday evening in Riyadh in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Master of events thanks to an obvious technical and collective superiority, FC Barcelona completely extinguished Real Madrid to win their first title of the season (3-1). Unable to react before the third Catalan goal, the Merengue missed out on their match.
The debates were already closed after the first 45 minutes during which the Blaugrana did not concede anything apart from this too uncrossed header from Karim Benzema on the only sharp incursion of the people of Madrid (18th). After a short round of observation, Xavi’s players unfolded their plan without the slightest hitch and it quickly took a great Thibaut Courtois to deflect a shot from Robert Lewandowski on the post (13th).
They finally made the difference on their two great strengths of the first act. First thanks to high pressing from Sergio Busquets which allowed Lewandowski to quickly serve Gavi for the opener (33rd). Then on a pass that found Frenkie De Jong in the back of Madrid midfielders. The Dutchman was able to launch Gavi who offered the break to his Polish number 9 (45th).
Carlo Ancelotti tried to reverse the trend by launching Rodrygo in place of Eduardo Camavinga as soon as he returned from the locker room. But nothing changed and Courtois had to release two new high-level parades in front of Ousmane Dembélé and Lewandowski (51st and 55th). The Belgian goalkeeper could not postpone the deadline forever and, on a new recovery from Gavi, he gave in a third time against Pedri (69th). And the timid attempts of Toni Kroos (71st) and Rodrygo (79th), then the reduction of the anecdotal score of Benzema (90th + 3), never gave a glimpse of a miracle.
57
It’s the 57th time that FC Barcelona have scored at least three goals in a game against Real Madrid. No team does better (Opta).
The player: Gavi has done it all
Xavi had made the choice to take Raphinha out of his eleven to position him higher on the pitch and Gavi did not disappoint him. Incessant pressing on the first opponent raises, races on the left side but also in the heart of the Madrid hinge, a goal, two assists… the very young Spanish midfielder was perfect. He perfectly crosses his shot to deceive Courtois on the opener and makes the right gesture to serve Lewandowski on a plate. His activity did not decline after the break, like the last goal on which he recovered the ball before finding Pedri.