A man of the match display from Barcelona teenager Gavi led Xavi’s side to a dominant 3-0 win over Real Madrid in an El Clasico final for the Supercopa de Espana.
The energy on the pitch and in the Riyadh stands showed this was no pre-season friendly, as such Super Cup games can tend to be, even after both teams came through gruelling penalty shootout wins in their midweek semi-finals.
Barcelona got a foot on the ball early and almost found Ronald Araujo for a close-range finish from an early set piece before Thibaut Courtois turned Robert Lewandowski’s shot from 20 yards out onto the post.
Madrid looked to be coming into the game on 19 minutes when Karim Benzema peeled off his man to plant a trademark header just wide, although in truth it was to be their only attempt of the first half.
The impetus was quickly back with the Catalans and they led when stealing possession high up the pitch for Lewandowski to play in Gavi, whose fine finish beat Courtois.
Real failed to liven up and suffered a hammer blow on the verge of the break when Gavi was awarded half of the Arabian desert to scamper down the left wing and return the favour for Lewandowski, the Pole simply unable to miss from five yards out for his 20th of the season.
Rodrygo was introduced in an attacking change at half-time from Carlo Ancelotti, protecting an unbeaten run in finals stretching to over 12 years, but it was Barcelona firing on goal first as Courtois saved Dembele’s one-on-one with his legs.
Gavi was once again at the heart of things for 3-0 on 69 minutes, playing in Pedri for a far-post tap-in after more good work from Lewandowski as substitute Dani Ceballos was caught in possession.
It was a first Clasico goal for all three players as 18-year-old Gavi became the youngest-ever player to produce a goal and an assist in the iconic derby.
XaviBall ™️
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 15, 2023
Three goals up, Barcelona showcase their ability in possession... Knocking the ball about with ease!#ElClásico | #SuperSupercopa pic.twitter.com/3wZ4lG4dX8
Karim Benzema drilled home a late consolation after a hugely disappointing display for Madrid.
Ahead in the LaLiga title race and having now tasted silverware for the first time since Lionel Messi left the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s performance in such a big final should serve as a warning sign to their biggest rivals and all of Europe.
