Raphinha Shines with Brace as Barcelona Edge Real Madrid to Win Spanish Super Cup.
FC Barcelona winger Raphinha delivered a decisive performance on Sunday night, scoring twice to help his side overcome Real Madrid 3–2 and lift the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. The Brazilian’s goals proved crucial in a pulsating final that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The victory carried personal significance for Raphinha. Speaking after the match, he credited coach Hansi Flick for restoring his confidence at a time when his future at Barcelona seemed uncertain. “I was on the verge of leaving the club,” Raphinha said. “Flick told me what a player needs and gave me the confidence to do my job. That changed everything for me.”
Flick praised Raphinha’s mentality and influence on the team. “His mentality is incredible. Even after missing the first chance, he stayed aggressive and scored the opener, giving the team confidence. His intensity lifts everyone on the pitch,” said the German coach.
The Super Cup final lived up to its hype. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a calm left-footed finish. Vinicius Jr. responded with a brilliant solo effort, before Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead. Gonzalo García struck just before half-time to level the score at 2–2.
The winning moment came after the break when Raphinha, having missed an earlier chance, unleashed a long-range strike that took a deflection past Thibaut Courtois. Barcelona then held firm under late pressure, including a red card for Frenkie de Jong and the introduction of Kylian Mbappé, to secure the trophy.
The triumph marked Barcelona’s second consecutive Spanish Super Cup title and their first piece of silverware this season. For Flick, Raphinha’s revival and the team’s resilience in high-pressure situations signal a promising start as Barcelona aims to compete on multiple fronts this season.
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