| Barcelona vs Real Madrid | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid
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COMPETITION :
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El Clásico
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| DATE: |
12 - 01 - 2026
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TIME:
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12.30 AM IST
11.00 PM UAE
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STADIUM
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King Abdullah Sports City
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Spanish Super Cup Final Preview
Barcelona scarcely had to break sweat in their Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Wednesday, cruising past Athletic Club with four unanswered goals before half-time. The Catalan giants’ commanding display not only showcased their attacking depth but also ensured they enjoyed a longer recovery period ahead of Sunday night’s final—an advantage that could prove decisive.
Hansi Flick’s side were electric in the last four, with Raphinha grabbing a brace, while Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji also found the net. That emphatic victory extended Barcelona’s superb form and moved them one step closer to a record-extending 16th Spanish Super Cup triumph.
Barcelona enter the final on a nine-match winning streak across all competitions and have not lost a domestic fixture since their 2-1 La Liga defeat to Real Madrid at the end of October. The Catalans famously defeated Los Blancos 5-2 in last year’s Super Cup final and will be confident heading into the 263rd El Clasico in history.
Recent meetings slightly favour Barcelona, who have won four of the last five clashes, although Real Madrid have claimed victory in five of the previous nine encounters—highlighting the fine margins that usually define this rivalry.
Real Madrid’s Road to the Final
Real Madrid endured a far sterner test in their semi-final, edging past Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday night. Federico Valverde opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range free kick before Rodrygo doubled the lead shortly after the restart. Alexander Sorloth pulled one back for Atletico just before the hour mark, setting up a tense finale, but Xabi Alonso’s men held firm.
Los Blancos have lifted the Spanish Super Cup 13 times, most recently in 2024 when they dismantled Barcelona 4-1 in the final. Although they currently trail their rivals by four points in La Liga, Real Madrid remain firmly in contention across all competitions, including the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
While the Spanish Super Cup may not define a season for either club, the significance of El Clasico ensures that intensity, pride and momentum are all firmly on the line.
Recent Form
Barcelona – Spanish Super Cup: W
Barcelona – All Competitions: WWWWWW
Real Madrid – Spanish Super Cup: W
Real Madrid – All Competitions: LWWWWW
Team News
Barcelona will once again be without Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen due to injury, but Flick otherwise has a strong squad available. Lamine Yamal, who was not fit enough to start against Athletic, made a second-half appearance and is expected to return to the starting XI. Ronald Araujo is back in full training and could be included in the squad, though Eric Garcia is likely to continue alongside Pau Cubarsi in central defence.
With attacking options in abundance, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and Roony Bardghji could begin on the bench, underlining Barcelona’s impressive depth.
Real Madrid welcome back Kylian Mbappe following his recovery from a knee injury, and the French star could return straight into the starting lineup. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao and Brahim Diaz remain unavailable, while Rodrygo, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio will be assessed after picking up knocks against Atletico.
Dean Huijsen has returned from injury and could feature, particularly if Rudiger is ruled out, while Asencio is expected to be fit enough to play.
Verdict
With both sides in excellent form and silverware at stake, another gripping chapter of El Clasico awaits. Barcelona’s momentum and extra rest may offer a slight edge, but Real Madrid’s experience in finals ensures this Spanish Super Cup showdown is anything but predictable.
Vaishak
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