A spectacular Clasico ended 3-2 for Real Madrid, who move into the Supercopa final after extra time. Only the third lead was enough for the Spanish championship leaders, who achieved the fifth Clasico victory in a row.
Won the next top game: Real Madrid.
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With four Clasicos won recently and the generally better form behind them, Real Madrid went into the first semi-final of the Supercopa held in Saudi Arabia as their favorites. Well-rehearsed-looking royals who wanted to surprise their rivals primarily by switching quickly, initially also made the more dangerous impression.
After Benzema won a large ball against Busquets, the French sent storm partner Vinicius on the journey, who hurried away from Araujo and stayed cool in front of Ter Stegen (25th). As a result of the well-deserved opening goal, Spain’s league leaders withdrew, however, and more active Catalans took over command.
Shot in, shot in
Although FCB only managed to get dangerous over crosses, after two good header chances by Luuk de Jong (30th, 32nd) the Dutchman brought Barcelona the equalizer – and how: Militao actually wanted to knock off Dembelé’s cross, shot on his own fives but Luuk de Jong, from whom the ball first hit the post and then hit the goal to make it 1: 1 (41.).
Barça then came out of the locker room much better than Real, who slept through the first ten minutes of the second section completely. With Pedri (49th) and Dembelé (54th), oppressive Catalans had two promising shot chances, but they could not convert their superiority into anything countable.
Ansu Fati forces the extension
After an hour, the favorite became more active again and shifted most of the action back to Barcelona’s half. But one of them hadn’t been seen for a while – so Benzema thought: All good things come in threes. The Frenchman failed with a shot from the post (69th) and Schlenzer (72nd), but Carvajal’s following cross shot the 34-year-old into the mesh (72nd).
But once again, FC Barcelona refused to let go. Ironically, Joker Ansu Fati, who celebrated his comeback after an injury break, was left free after an Alba cross. The teenager headed into the far corner (83rd) and forced an extension that was quite appropriate to performance.
Madrid countered Barcelona
The most eventful Clasico in years remained eventful. Although it was Barça who started extra-time much more purposefully, after a raid-like counterattack, the substitute Valverde shot the Spanish record champions a third time in the front (98th). The Catalans fought back with hard shots from Busquets and Dembelé, Courtois parried both (101st).
Only in the second half of the extension did the forces gradually wane on both sides. Barcelona could only generate pressure to a limited extent, Madrid kept taking time off the clock. Nonetheless, FCB still had a great chance when Ansu Fati hit the overhead kick from six meters in the 121st minute, but didn’t hit the ball cleanly.
In the final, Los Blancos will face the winner of the second semi-final, which will be played on Thursday at Atletico Madrid and the title-defending Athletic Club from Bilbao.
