First title for Xavi: FC Barcelona beats Real Madrid (3-1) and wins the Supercopa, Benzema scores, Gavi shines

FC Barcelona won with style against Real Madrid. As part of the final of the 39th edition of the Spanish Super Cup, Gavi’s teammates largely dominated their rival Real Madrid on Sunday evening in Riyadh (3-1). The talented Spanish midfielder was the author of a major performance, with a goal and two assists. Real Madrid captain, Frenchman Karim Benzema, saved Madrid’s honor at the end of the game but his goal will remain anecdotal. The Blaugrana win their 14th Spanish Super Cup. It necessarily has more flavor against the hated rival.

After both qualifying on penalties against Valencia CF and Betis respectively this week, Merengue and Blaugrana were fighting for a new trophy this Sunday evening at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. For this new Clásico, it was Xavi’s players who proved to be the first to be dangerous, on a free kick struck by Pedri that Ronald Araújo almost took over from close range (6th). This first fact of play was the harbinger of a heavy trend.

Gavi has been immense

After Thibaut Courtois’ right post found by Robert Lewandowski (13′), it was Gavi who opened the scoring with a perfectly adjusted left shot on a deep pass from the Polish striker (1-0, 33′). Particularly inspired, the now youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish Super Cup (18 years and 5 months) returned the favor to Lewandowski, on a superb action initiated by Sergio Busquets just before the break (2-0, 45th ).

Benzema, a goal for nothing

Unable to achieve consistent pressing in the loss of the ball, Karim Benzema’s teammates did not return more determined from the locker room. Quite the contrary: only a very high-level Thibaut Courtois pretended to keep the Merengues in the game (51st, 55th). Determined to win the first trophy of the season, the Barcelonans finally put an end to all debate about twenty minutes from the end, on a new movement initiated by Lewandowski and Gavi and concluded closely by another great Blaugrana talent, Pedri (3 -0, 69th).

The goal scored by Karim Benzema at the end of the game is a very meager commodity of consolidation for the White House (3-1, 90th + 3): it was FC Barcelona of Xavi and Gavi who had the sharpest fangs this evening. This 14th Spanish Super Cup won by Barça is the first title of the former Catalan number 6 as a coach. With his heart club.