Photo Credit: MARCA
The Supercopa de Espana belongs to Barcelona for a record 14th time. The Catalans humiliated Real Madrid in the final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, claiming a comfortable 3-1 that, if anything, flattered Los Blancos.
Gavi was the star of the night, scoring the opener and then assisted for both Robert Lewandowski and Pedri to rub salt into Los Blancos' wounds. The Catalans were on another level though, and the Spanish champions never got close to them.
Real Madrid started on the back foot, and Barcelona looked the better team from the off. Lewandowski came close twice in the opening exchanges, with the post and Thibaut Courtois keeping the no.9 out. At the other end, Karim Benzema had their only real chance of the half but was unable to turn his header on target.
Barcelona got themselves in front through youngster Gavi, who finished excellently after a swift, lethal move from the Blaugrana. Ferland Mendy gave the ball away cheaply and was punished, with Barcelona moving it nicely until Gavi went through and finished past Courtois.
The second wasn't too much later, with Lewandowski the time netting his first Clasico goal. His finish was a little easier than Gavi's, tapping in from very close ranger after being perfectly found in front of goal.
A long way back
It was always going to be tough for Real Madrid to fight back from two goals behind, but the second half started with Barcelona as on top as they had been before the break.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were seriously left wanting, while Gavi continued to orchestrate everything that happened for Barcelona. Having scored and assisted in the first half, Gavi proved his second assist of the night for Pedri to score the third. Again, Gavi was brilliant in the build-up and the comfortable cushion the Catalans had was largely thanks to the youngster for whom Real Madrid had no answer.
Benzema scored a stoppage-time consolation.
All eyes on Gavi
Gavi was understandably at the centre of attention on the night, being involved directly in each of Barcelona's three goals and firing Xavi to his first trophy in charge at the Camp Nou.
He became the youngest-ever Supercopa de Espana goalscorer with his opener, and then assisted two goals excellently and with a maturity well beyond his years. It was just another example of how bright his future is.
