AGENCIES

Head coach Hansi Flick praised his “incredible” Barcelona team after 5-2 win against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Barca came from an early goal down, scoring four goals in a dominant first half and surviving having their goalkeeper sent off to clinch a record-extending 15th trophy.

Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde were all on target before halftime, after French forward Kylian Mbappe put Real in front in the fifth minute. Raphinha grabbed another in the second half while Rodrygo scored for Real.

At the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, Barcelona put in a clinical display to lift their first trophy in more than a year, having no silverware to show for last season.

Barcelona and Real met in the competition’s final for third consecutive time, with Ancelotti’s side prevailing last year while Barca lifted the trophy in 2023.

“I’m very proud of the team, the staff, the club, the fans... everyone who supports Barça. I am proud to manage such an incredible team,” said Flick.

The Catalan side were left with 10 men when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for fouling Mbappe in the 56th minute and Rodrygo beat substitute keeper Inaki Pena from the resulting free kick.

But Real, who hold a five-point advantage over Barca in LaLiga after 19 games, had no shots on goal after the penalty until Mbappe’s effort was denied by Pena in stoppage time.

“After Szczesny was sent off, it wasn’t easy for anyone. We, the coaches, had a little discussion, and I thank them all because, in the end, we made the right decision. And Inaki did a great job, and we defended as a team. I loved it,” said Flick.

“We are a team. You could see that after the win, but it always shows. We stick together, and our aim is to learn from every game.”

“At big clubs, the goal is to win titles. And that’s what we’re working towards. We are very happy and proud but need to keep showing that we are the best in every game,” added Flick.