Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, lauded hat-trick hero Vinicius Junior and the Saudi Arabian fans who inspired his side to a memorable 4-1 Spanish Super Cup final over Barcelona in Riyadh.
Real Madrid were 2-0 ahead after 10 minutes thanks to a double from Vini Jr, who performed a ‘SIUUU!’ celebration at Al Nassr’s Al Awwal Park in dedication to his “idol” Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star would no doubt have admired the Brazilian’s finishing, with his hat-trick sandwiched by Robert Lewandowski scoring a thumping volley for Barcelona.
Rodrygo, however, secured Real Madrid’s triumph in the second half by netting a fourth, much to the delight of the white-clad fans at the sold-out stadium who celebrated as captain Nacho lifted the Spanish Super Cup.
Ancelotti said: “Vini played a great game – there were some moments where he needed to calm down – but he’s doing an excellent job.
“There are many Real Madrid fans here and who have supported the team for many years now. We came here to give them the best version of the team. Football in Saudi Arabia is growing, and we will always want to give the fans the best version of the team.
“This was a match we wanted to win, and we have won it out of merit. It was an extraordinary match, we couldn't be happier. We were confident of winning because the team is in an environment in which any player can create, everybody has a role, and everybody contributes. We were lucky to score two goals in the first 10 minutes and that made the match much easier to win.”
Nacho said: “Vini has proven that he is the best and we are all helping him so he can continue being the best.”
Real Madrid booked their place in this year’s Spanish Super Cup final by defeating city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 in Wednesday’s semi-final in the Saudi Arabian capital city. And Sunday night’s triumph was sweet revenge for last year’s El Clasico final in Riyadh, where Barcelona emerged 3-1 victors.
Nacho added: “This is the type of match in which anything can happen, but we were lucky to go in at half-time with a 3-1 advantage and when we scored the fourth goal the match was closed. We were better and the victory was well deserved.
“When I raised the cup, I was thinking about my family. These are very special moments. I said it before, this was a final and a play that can change the game’s balance can come at any time. We got in the right track early in the game and that was great for us.”
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde also praised the fans in Riyadh – the match was a 25,000-capacity sell-out, with the vast majority of the crowd backing Los Blancos – for inspiring their win.
Valverde said: “The support the Saudi fans have given us is beautiful. It’s amazing that being so far from home we felt so cozy and that is very beautiful. The fans showed us a lot of love, not only in the stadium, but also in the hotel, being with us, giving us their support. It was beautiful and we have really enjoyed it.”
No.7 Vini Jr aptly struck first for Real Madrid in the seventh minute, latching on to a through ball to expertly round Inaki Pena in the Barcelona goal and tuck the ball into the back of the net.
After one, it was nearly two as Rodrygo’s shot was saved by the Barcelona goalkeeper moments later. Real Madrid, however, weren’t to be denied as they laid siege to the Barca goal. Another through ball sent Rodrygo sprinting away and his side-footed pass across goal saw Vini Jr slide along the ground to convert for 2-0.
It was an electric start to the Spanish Super Cup El Clasico final in Riyadh. Two minutes later, Ferran Torres struck the bar with a volley and Robert Lewandowski forced Andriy Lunin to push behind for a corner on the rebound. Torres also tugged a shot wide and made Lunin save an angled drive with his foot.
In the 33rd minute, Lewandowski halved the deficit with a thumping volley from the edge of the box, thundering home after Ferland Mendy only partially cleared Alejandro Balde’s cross from the left.
Four minutes later, however, and Real Madrid had restored their two-goal lead. Ronald Araujo was booked for shoving Vini Jr and the Brazilian reversed home the resultant penalty into the bottom corner. The successful strike earned Vini Jr his first ever El Clasico hat-trick.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri was inches inches wide with a fierce left-foot drive from the edge of the box with the last kick of the first half.
There was a treble change on the hour mark by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, removing captain Sergi Roberto, Pedri, and Torres for Joao Felix, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Barely had the three been on the pitch and it was 4-1. Jules Kounde could only direct Vini Jr’s low cross in the direction of Rodrygo and he side-footed low into the bottom corner.
Barca defender Araujo was sent off for a second yellow card,but the final whistle brought delighted celebrations from those in white. Real Madrid captain Nacho lifted the Spanish Super Cup 2024 trophy to a backdrop of an incredible and fabulously colourful display from the Riyadh organisers.
Real Madrid’s win – the fourth time the Spanish Super Cup has been presented on Saudi soil – was revenge for last year’s final in Riyadh, where Barcelona ran out 3-1 victors. Los Blancos booked their place in this year’s final by coming from behind to defeat city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra time on Wednesday.
Real Madrid were also winners of the first two Spanish Super Cups held in Saudi Arabia, beating Atletico Madrid on penalties in Jeddah in 2020, and Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Riyadh in 2022.
This year’s Spanish Super Cup marked the latest illustration of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to host the very best international events across all sports, with football at the forefront.
While enabling the Kingdom to build relationships and showcase the unique football culture to the world, hosting events like these provides new opportunities for the Saudi people to be inspired, pursue dreams, and realise potential.
The Spanish Super Cup kick-started an incredible year-round schedule of international sports in the Kingdom, with football, motorsport, tennis, esports, combat sports, golf, and equestrian events all locked in for 2024.
