Spanish Super Cup: Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to set up an El Clásico finale against an in-form Barcelona

Real Madrid set up a fiery clash with FC Barcelona in the Super Cup final. (Image credits – Heute, Licence Details)

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid have booked their spot in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah after edging past Atletico Madrid and are set to face their arch nemesis FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants had humiliated the Los Blancos last year in the very same fixture.

Madrid rallied with stunners from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo to beat their city rivals 2-1. Alonso's men bagged the first goal within two minutes of the first half after Valverde unleashed an absolute belter of a strike to give them the lead.

They extended their lead when Rodrygo picked up a brilliant pass from the skipper and slotted it past Jan Oblak in goal. Atletico did manage to steal one back moments later through Alexander Sorloth.

Diego Simeone’s side kept pushing for an equaliser with Alex Baena and Sorloth coming very close but were superbly denied by Thibaut Courtois in goal. The 33-year-old prevented multiple clear-cut chances to hand Xabi Alonso a much-needed relief.

The Los Blancos could've settled the game late on when Rodrygo got a golden opportunity, but Oblak saved it brilliantly. However, Courtois’ heroics between the sticks pushed the Spanish giants to yet another El Clásico, the second of the season.

Preview: Why is Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona a firm favourite to lift the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid?

FC Barcelona are heading into this Spanish Super Cup final as the firm favourites to defend their title against rivals Real Madrid. Barça crushed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semi-final in a ruthless display of attacking football.

Even without players like Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski on the starting XI, the Catalan giants had the same efficiency up front, and the opposition were no match at all.

Meanwhile, the Los Blancos had to rely on the individual brilliance of Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois to win the game, which was mostly dominated by Diego Simeone's side.

Barça have picked up form since the El Clásico defeat in La Liga. Flick's side haven't lost a single game after that and are on a win streak, even leading the league table by four points.

Flick's Barcelona have turned things around remarkably after a shaky start to the season. (Image credits – Heute, Licence Details)

Barça also has a good track record against Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. Last season, Lewandowski and co. thrashed Ancelotti’s Madrid 5-2 to clinch the title.

This is the fourth straight El Clásico Super Cup final, and the Blaugrana have won two out of the last three editions, which will give them the confidence heading into this clash.

The biggest reason why we picked Barcelona as the favourites of this tie is the inconsistent run of form of Real Madrid. They've been all over the place at the back, especially after several players were injured.

Kylian Mbappe’s availability is also a doubt, as he's still not in full fitness. The Frenchman did not play a single minute against Atletico, and without him, Madrid lacked huge firepower up front. El Clasico is always unpredictable in nature, but Barcelona's superior run of form and availability of a fully fit squad gives them the overall edge against Xabi Alonso's men.