Barcelona convincingly beat Real Madrid 3-1 in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the Spanish Super Cup, their first trophy since coach Xavi Hernandez took over. Inspired by teenager Gavi, who scored himself and arrange objectives for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri Gonzalez, the Catalans produced considered one of their greatest performances in years towards their bitter Clasico rivals. Having loved nice success as a participant at Barca, Xavi returned in November 2021 and after a summer time of heavy spending this emphatic victory is an indication his venture is transferring in the correct route.

Karim Benzema netted a late comfort for Madrid, who’ve been removed from their greatest for the reason that World Cup break and likewise fell three factors behind Barcelona in La Liga final weekend.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a ultimate since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned final season to Barcelona, who’ve now gained the Super Cup a report 14 occasions.

“We knew it was a chance we had to take, we have lived through an era of changes at the club and in the dressing room, and this will reinforce us to keep fighting for more titles,” Barca captain Sergio Busquets advised Movistar.

Xavi crucially deployed 4 central midfielders, with 18-year-old Gavi drifting inside off a nominal beginning place on the left and often giving Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal the slip.

Barcelona broke the impasse when Busquets pressed effectively after a unfastened Antonio Rudiger move, resulting in Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted house confidently.

Gavi turned supplier for the second, working on to De Jong’s move and sliding the ball throughout for Lewandowski to complete clinically.

“(Gavi) is a kid that excites us all, when you see him compete like that, putting his soul out there, he’s a character that is contagious for the team, he has an innate capacity for leadership,” Xavi advised a press convention.

“It comes from inside him, it’s spectacular. At 18, I have said it many times, but don’t let it stop, he has no ceiling this boy.”

– Real ‘weaknesses’ –

Gavi, who gained the Golden Boy award in 2022, was the sport’s excellent performer and confirmed Barcelona are in good arms each now and for years to return.

Madrid’s personal younger star Vinicius Junior was shackled by Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan taking part in at right-back to immediately subdue the Brazilian’s menace.

“Today I think we were lacking, we went out there giving 90 percent, 80 percent, and in a final against a rival like this, you can’t do that,” Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde advised Movistar.

Courtois denied Dembele after an excellent Alejandro Balde run and the overworked Belgian stopper was maintaining Madrid’s slim hopes alive.

By distinction, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen went untested till the seventieth minute, by when his aspect had netted their third.

Lewandowski launched Gavi, who crossed for Pedri to faucet house on the again submit as Barcelona romped to a compelling victory.

The solely blot on Barcelona’s copybook was a late Benzema strike, ending after his first effort was blocked.

“To say it was humiliation is disrespectful,” Ancelotti advised a information convention.

“We lost a game against Barcelona like we beat them in the league. They played better and they deserved it, full stop.”

The greatest blow for Madrid could show to be the morale increase the victory is for his or her rivals.

Although Xavi will finally be judged on his efficiency in main competitions — and Barcelona have already been eradicated from this season’s Champions League — he was thrilled by the victory.

“It brings a lot of calm, confidence, because what we planned worked brilliantly, we beat Madrid, dominating the whole game,” mentioned Xavi.

“I’ll take how we played from this, it is very important to me. The trophy, yes, but how (we won it).

“We have three trophies to play for this season and this provides us confidence.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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