The Spanish Giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have a spectacular 120-minute El Clásico, in which the “kings” emerged victorious and will play a final for the Super Cup of Spain. In an epic semi-final clash played in Saudi Arabia, Real took the lead twice and Barça equalized twice, until the “whites” finally reached the final 2: 3 after extra time.
Vinicius opened in the 25th minute after a blunder by Sergio Busquets and an assist by Karim Benzema. At the end of the first half, however, with a great deal of luck, Luc de Jong managed to put his foot on a ball killed by Eder Militao and fortunately the ball ended up in the net of Real.
In the first minutes of the second half Barça was the more active team, but did not score. In the 72nd minute, Karim Benzema scored the 404th goal of his career and the 11th in El Clásico to put Real ahead again. Ten minutes later, however, the reserve Ansu Fati equalized with a header.
The match went into overtime, where Real ” outsmarted their opponent. “Los Blancos” scored in the 98th minute when Federico Valverde sent the ball into the net of Ter Stegen. By the end, Barça had several good goal positions, but never managed to equalize for the third time in
Debut for Barcelona made the new addition Ferran Torres, who played in the first half and was replaced at the break, but Barça will have to return to Spain to For Real Madrid, the Super Cup final will be against the winner of the match between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, which will be played on Thursday night (January 13).
(FIRST HALF)
In the first minutes Barcelona tried to hold the ball more and put pressure on the opponent’s goal. However, Real Madrid seemed far more dangerous than the Catalans, especially on counterattacks. In the 20th minute Thibaut Courtois launched a quick counterattack, which went through Vinicius and Karim Benzema, to end with a disappointing shot by Marco Asensio.
In the 25th minute Real Madrid opened the score. Sergio Busquets took control in the middle of the field, but delayed the delivery of the ball, which allowed Benzema to attack him from behind and take the ball away from him. The French striker immediately made a pass for Vinicius Junior, who escaped alone against Marc-Andre ter Stegen and scored – 0: 1!
Five minutes later Barça could equalize. After a short tussle with the defender, Luc de Jong finally tucked the ball home. A little later, another great opportunity to score in front of De Jong, but the striker again failed.
In 41 ‘Usman Dembele missed an excellent opportunity to score, but a minute later the Frenchman retaliated and Barca equalized. Frankie de Jong deflected the ball to Dembele, who tried to pass parallel to the goal line. Eder Militao reached the ball and tried to clear it, but Luc de Jong put his foot down and with a dose of luck managed to score – 1: 1!
SECOND HALF
On vacation Shavi made a double shift, removing Ferran Torres and Frankie de Jong, replacing Abdesamad Ezalzuli and Pedri. In the 49th minute, it was Pedri who could have scored, but his dangerous shot went wide of the door. Shortly afterwards, Luc de Jong and Dembele also squandered goal positions in front of Real’s goal.
doors. In the 69th minute, however, Real Madrid could regain the lead in the result. Karim Benzema took control in the penalty area, freed up space for shooting and struck a shot that deviated from the side post.
In the 72nd minute Real Madrid scored a second goal . Ferlan Mendy overcame Danny Alves with ease on the left flank, then found Benzema, who tried a hard blow to the far corner, which was reflected by Ter Stegen. The ball reached Dani Carvajal, who returned the ball to the penalty area, and Benzema was in the right place to score on an empty net – 1: 2!
Ten minutes later Barcelona equalized again. Jordi Alba advanced on the left flank and centered in the penalty area, where the low Ansu Fati slipped between Casemiro and Eder Militao to catch his head and send the ball into the door of Courtois – 2: 2!
CONTINUED
In the 98th minute Real Madrid came out ahead for the third time in the match. This time the “whites” organized a lightning counterattack on the right flank, in which several Real players found themselves in the penalty area of Barça. Vinicius cleverly missed a pass to Federico Valverde, who managed to catch in cold blood – 2: 3!
Three minutes later Usman Dembele could have equalized again, but Thibaut Courtois refused with brilliant intervention. Sergio Busquets was also close to scoring, but his shot was deflected by Real’s guard. In the 109th minute Ezalzuli shot dangerously at the door of the “kings”, but his shot went out.
In the 121st minute Ansu Fati missed a great chance to equalize . In the counterattack, Rodrigo made an even bigger mistake after failing to hit the door from close range. Barça tried one last final assault, but Thibaut Courtois calmed the match, catching a cross in the penalty area.
STARTING TEAMS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alba, Pique, Araujo, Dani Alves, Busquets, Frankie de Jong, Gavi, Dembele, Ferran Torres, Luc de Jong
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendi, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema
BEFORE THE MEETING:
Xavi Hernandez brings Barcelona in their first El Clásico as manager, and the match is an excellent chance for the first trophy. The winner of the match will go to the final of the Spanish Super Cup, where he will meet Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao. However, Real Madrid is performing far more convincingly this season and is a favorite in this El Clásico.
The good news for Xavi is that he will be able to use the returnee from concussion Ansu Fati, as well as new addition Ferran Torres. However, Barça are left without the injured Martin Braithwaite, Eric Garcia, Serge Roberto and Musa Vage, as well as Yusuf Demir, who has a stomach upset. Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz are absent from Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Barcelona have failed in El Clásico in their last five games and Real Madrid have won the last four.
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