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Peter Fitzpatrick·14 January 2024
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Peter Fitzpatrick·14 January 2024
Real Madrid have won the Spanish Super Cup, defeating their greatest rivals, Barcelona, 4-1 in a dominant final display that featured a first-half Vini Jr. hat-trick.
Read all about it here.
Scorers: Vinicius Jr. 8âČ, 10âČ, 39âČ, Rodrygo 64âČ; Lewandowski 33âČ
Barcelona had the first opening and probably should have scored through Ferran Torres after five minutes. Some neat interplay led to Ä°lkay GĂŒndoÄan putting the ball across but the winger could not finish from yards out.
Real made them pay shortly after, Jude Bellingham playing the ball through Barçaâs high line for Vinicius Junior to run through and finish with ease.
Vinicius got his and Realâs second just two minutes later and again, Barcelonaâs defending could be seriously questioned. The ball went past their backline for Rodrygo to run onto and cross for his Brazilian teammate who finished from close range.
In desperate need of a goal to get back into the game, Barça came mightily close shortly after. Pedri teed up Torres on the edge of the box but his sweetly hit volley cracked off the crossbar.
Torres looked his sideâs best threat for much of the opening half hour, fashioning himself another chance but firing wide of Real keeper Andriy Lupin.
Barça found a way back into the game in the 33rd minute when Alejandro Baldeâs cross eventually fell to Robert Lewandowski who volleyed a low shot home from the edge of the box.
Real regained their two goal lead six minutes later, and, again, it was Vini, who completed a stunning first-half hat-trick from the penalty spot after being brought down by Ronald AraĂșjo.
It was just the sixth Super Cup hat-trick ever and a night to remember to remember for the brilliant Brazilian.
The second half continued in a similar vein with Vini continuing to torment Barcelona, who just stayed in the contest up until the hour.
Any hope of a Barça comeback faded even further in the 64th minute when Rodrygo made it 4-1. Vini dribbled down the left before hitting a low cross into the box.
Jules Koundé blocked it but it fell right to Rodrygo, who slotted home with ease.
Things went from bad to worse for Xaviâs side when AraĂșjo was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 71st minute.
The last 20 minutes petered out with Real resisting the urge to inflict even more misery on their greatest rivals.
They claim the Super Cup and look well placed to further add to their trophy cabinet this season if tonight is anything to go by.