Barca edge Actual Madrid in Spanish Tremendous Cup closing

[ad_1] Barcelona retained the Spanish Tremendous Cup with an exhilarating 3-2 Clasico win over Actual Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Raphinha struck twice for the Catalans with Robert Lewandowski additionally on track as they beat Xabi Alonso's group for a record-extending sixteenth triumph, regardless of Frenkie de Jong's late pink card for a foul on Kylian Mbappé.

The French ahead may solely characteristic within the closing phases in its place after a knee sprain, with the defeat prone to increase doubts round Madrid coach Xabi Alonso's future.

After Raphinha despatched Barcelona forward Vinicius Junior pulled Madrid stage with a fantastic particular person objective to kick-start a frenetic finish to the primary half in Jeddah.

Lewandowski chipped Barca again in entrance however Gonzalo Garcia struck deep in stoppage time to ship the groups in stage on the break.

The battle was determined by a deflected Raphinha effort after 73 minutes, as Barca claimed the fourth trophy of coach Hansi Flick's reign.

Alonso continues to be in search of his first after arriving in June, and Madrid's run of 5 consecutive wins throughout all competitions was dropped at an finish by their arch-rivals.

"We're very glad, one other trophy, it is at all times an enormous sport towards Madrid," Lewandowski advised Movistar.

"We performed nicely within the first half, the second too, we have been in search of extra objectives however we gained and that is an important factor."

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Flick, who led Barca to 4 Clasico wins over Madrid final season in 4 clashes, opted for Lewandowski up entrance over Ferran Torres and introduced teenage star Lamine Yamal again in on the fitting wing.

It was a scrappy begin within the Saudi night warmth, with Barcelona protecting the ball and Madrid sitting deep to withstand them, whereas trying to discover Vinicius Junior on the counter.

The Brazilian had not scored in his earlier 16 matches however did provide a potent risk, flying down the left and forcing Joan Garcia into the primary save.

Raphinha additionally sprinted again to slip in on his compatriot as Vinicius tried to interrupt via.

Barca started to show up the warmth on Madrid and Raphinha discovered a breakthrough after 36 minutes.

Moments after the winger fired a fantastic probability badly vast, he made up for it with a low, early strike from simply inside the realm, throughout Thibaut Courtois and into the underside nook.

Madrid pulled stage with an outstanding Vinicius strike, floating in from the left, nutmegging Jules Kounde and tucking previous Garcia.

Barcelona went again forward 4 minutes into first-half stoppage time, with Lewandowski dinking residence after being performed in by Pedri.

Nevertheless Madrid quickly hit again simply earlier than the interval via Gonzalo Garcia, who completed nicely whereas falling after Dean Huijsen's header bounced again to him off the crossbar.

Excellent kind The second half was a calmer affair, with fewer possibilities because the groups slowed down.

Garcia saved from Rodrygo Goes's low effort, whereas Courtois beat away a Yamal strike.

Mbappé was warming up on the sideline when Barcelona nosed forward, with Raphinha's shot from exterior the field deflecting in off Raul Asencio to depart Courtois with no probability.

The Brazilian is in very good kind and it was his seventh objective in his final 5 matches throughout all competitions.

Alonso despatched on Mbappé for the final quarter-hour, looking for a 3rd objective and power a penalty shoot-out.

The French ahead couldn't get a sight of objective however Barca midfielder De Jong was despatched off for a excessive lunge on him.

Regardless of Madrid's numerical benefit Barca had the most effective probability in stoppage time with Marcus Rashford firing vast when via on objective.

Asencio may need grabbed an equaliser on the demise however headed straight at Garcia.

The final 4 winners of the Spanish Tremendous Cup have gone on to assert La Liga and Barcelona will probably be hoping it proves a platform for achievement as soon as once more.