Iconic El Clasico: Raphinha sinks Real Madrid's ship with a sensational brace as FC Barcelona clinch their sixteenth Spanish Super Cup title

Hansi Flick's Barcelona is showing no signs of stopping. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, Licence Details)

FC Barcelona have won the Spanish Super Cup, successfully defending the title by edging past Real Madrid 3-2 in a thriller in Jeddah. The Catalan giants have won three consecutive finals against their arch rivals for the first time, making this victory even sweeter.

Barça became the champions of this competition for the sixteenth time, thanks to Raphinha’s phenomenal brace. The Brazilian winger, who didn't get any recognition for his performances last year, opened the scoring for Flick's side in the 36th minute after receiving a beautiful pass from Fermin Lopez.

Vinicius Jr went into ‘Ankara Messi’ mode and scored a beauty of a goal running down the left wing, leaving Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi wondering. However, after just two minutes, Robert Lewandowski equalised for Barça after receiving a brilliant through ball from Pedri before chipping it over Thibaut Courtois.

Again, just two minutes later, Real Madrid equalised after Dean Huijsen’s header from the corner hit the post and the rebound fell right in front of Gonzalo Garcia, who made no mistake in front of goal. The first-half performance from both the teams was full of brilliant attacking displays and was easily one of the most intense El Clasico matches of all time.

Barça added a third goal in the seventy-third minute when Raphinha's strike deflected off Raul Ascensio and left Courtois stranded in no man's land. The game totally shifted in favour of the Catalans after Xabi Alonso subbed off Vinicius Jr with ten minutes still left to play.

Madrid couldn't attack with the same venom without the Brazilian star, and as time followed, things started to get heated between the two giants of Spanish football.

Skipper Frenkie de Jong was sent off for taking Kylian Mbappe down with just two minutes left on the clock. However, Flick's side learnt their lessons, managed to defend deep and won their third final in a row.

Hansi Flick has done many wonders at FC Barcelona but the “Resurrection of Raphinha” is the greatest one

Raphinha has revealed that he was just one foot away from leaving FC Barcelona in 2024 before the arrival of Hansi Flick. The Brazilian international has dedicated his resurrection at Barça to the German boss who completely turned him into one of the best players in the world.

The former Leeds United player, who used to fight in relegation battles in the Premier League as recently as 2022, is now conquering Spain. During Xavi’s tenure, many pundits and fans criticised the Brazilian, and some even hurled “fake Brazilian” chants at the 28-year-old. Many even wanted Nico Williams to replace the Brazilian and take his no. 11 shirt.

However, Flick's arrival changed the whole dynamics of the Barça team as Lamine Yamal switched to the right flank, Raphinha moved to the left, and Robert Lewandowski remained the spearhead up top.

Flick recognised his talent and gave him the confidence he needed to skyrocket himself. Now, Raphinha has scored a brace to win the Spanish Super Cup for the second time in a row, and that too against arch nemesis Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old has bagged seven goals and two assists in the last four fixtures against Real Madrid, and it just shows his influence in big games for the Catalan giants.

“Flick was the person that changed everything for me here,” Raphinha gushed in the wake of a second successive Super Cup title. “I had one foot out of the club when he was appointed. The importance of him speaking with me, telling me I would be important – that’s what you need, someone who values your work,” said Raphinha in the post-game interview. (sic)

He further added, “He gave me what I needed at that moment, which allowed me to focus on working hard and giving my best for the team.” (sic)