BARCELONA BEATS REAL MADRID 3-1 TO WIN SUPER CUP

Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup for the first time since the competition was revamped and relocated to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, defeating Real Madrid 3-1.

At King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Pedri each scored a goal to give Barcelona its first Super Cup trophy since 2018 — and 14th overall — and the first since the tournament began being played in a Final Four format in 2020 in a lucrative deal for the Spanish soccer federation.

It was also Barcelona’s first championship since former player Xavi took over as coach in 2021, and since Lionel Messi left for PSG.

Gavi scored from close range in the 33rd minute after a pass by Lewandowski, who doubled the lead after an assist by Gavi in a breakaway just before the halftime break. Gavi also assisted on Pedri’s close-range goal in the 69th minute.

Madrid’s Karim Benzema scored late in stoppage time. Madrid was attempting to win its second consecutive Saudi Super Cup title and equal Barcelona’s record of 13 Super Cup trophies.

Madrid defeated Barcelona in last season’s semifinals, but the two Spanish powerhouses had never met in the revamped competition’s final.

Both teams needed penalty shootouts to advance to the semifinals. Real Betis was defeated by Barcelona, while Madrid defeated Valencia.

Barcelona had not won a trophy since the Copa del Rey in 2021, when former coach Ronald Koeman was in charge. Messi won his 35th and final title with Barcelona before leaving amid the club’s financial difficulties.

In the first “El Clásico” of the season, Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the Spanish league in October.

Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup for the first time since the competition was revamped and relocated to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, defeating Real Madrid 3-1.

At King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Pedri each scored a goal to give Barcelona its first Super Cup trophy since 2018 — and 14th overall — and the first since the tournament began being played in a Final Four format in 2020 in a lucrative deal for the Spanish soccer federation.