JEDDAH/KATHMANDU, JANUARY 12, 2026 – In a high-octane final that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, FC Barcelona claimed the Spanish Super Cup title by defeating arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia. The match, played at the King Abdullah Sports City, was a true rollercoaster of emotions, featuring five goals, end-to-end action, and a dramatic finish that saw Barcelona end their recent trophy drought against “Los Blancos.”
The first half was a chaotic display of attacking football, ending level at 2-2. Barcelona took the lead through Robert Lewandowski, only for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. to equalize with a brilliant solo effort. The Catalans struck again through Raphinha, but Madrid showed their trademark resilience, leveling the score just before the halftime whistle with a strike from youngster Gonzalo García. The intensity was palpable as both teams refused to back down, turning the final into a classic slugfest.
The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute of the second half. Raphinha, who was undoubtedly the star of the night, fired a powerful shot that took a slight deflection and found the back of the net, making it 3-2 for Barcelona. Real Madrid threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, with Kylian Mbappé coming close twice. The drama peaked in the final minutes when Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off with a red card, leaving his team to defend with 10 men. However, the Blaugrana defense held firm against the onslaught to secure the victory.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for manager Hansi Flick, delivering a major trophy early in 2026. For Real Madrid, it was a rare night of frustration where their attacking flair wasn’t enough to overcome defensive lapses. In Nepal, thousands of Barcelona fans who stayed up late to watch the game have flooded social media with celebratory posts, hailing the victory as a sign of the team’s full resurgence.