Having defeated Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final for two consecutive years, Barcelona has proven its dominance in a competition where they hold the record for the most titles.
The 2-3 defeat against Barcelona in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final (early morning of January 12th, Vietnam time) not only left Real Madrid empty-handed in Saudi Arabia but also clearly illustrated their growing disadvantage against their arch-rival. For two consecutive seasons, the Royal team has lost in matches with five or more goals against Barcelona.
Ability to impose one's style of play
In the 2025 Super Cup final, Real Madrid lost 2-5, almost collapsing in the first half with Raphinha scoring a brace in Barcelona's dominant victory. A year later, the "scenario" was less dramatic in terms of the scoreline, but not much different in essence. Barcelona continued to control the game, scoring at crucial moments and inflicting defeat on Real Madrid.
Character and class brought Barcelona their first title of the season. (Photo: BARCELONA FC)
Looking at the bigger picture, the two Super Cup finals are just the tip of the iceberg of a remarkable trend. Barcelona have won six of their last seven El Clásico matches, a number that reflects a significant shift in the balance of power. While previously the battle was often decided by moments of individual genius, now Barcelona win through their system, cohesion, and ability to impose their style of play.
People who know how to shine.
Conversely, Real Madrid entered the 2026 final with a squad that was no match for Barcelona. Many key players were not in top form, the team lacked balance, and their tactical options were still makeshift. Kylian Mbappé only came on as a substitute late in the game and therefore could not become the focal point of the match.
Despite playing for only about 15 minutes, Mbappé still managed to get an opponent sent off and contributed to a dangerous situation at the end of the match. Even when not at his best, Mbappé is still a player capable of changing the course of the game. Therefore, Real Madrid's future remains closely tied to the French star, especially as coach Xabi Alonso has a lot of work to do in restructuring the team. The issue is that Real Madrid needs to build a strong enough team so that Mbappé doesn't have to carry the team alone.
In contrast to Real Madrid, Barcelona is benefiting from a well-functioning team, with Raphinha emerging as a key player. The Brazilian forward has been voted "Man of the Match" in the Spanish Super Cup final for two consecutive years, a rare occurrence in a cup competition.
In a season that promises to be a great success for Barcelona, Raphinha continues to be proof of the philosophy: Sustainable victory comes from efficiency, consistency, and players who know how to shine when the team needs them most.