Mbappe’s stunning solo goal in the fifth minute had Real Madrid fans dreaming of a sweet revenge after their 0-4 thrashing by Barcelona in La Liga earlier this season. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as Barcelona ran riot.
In the 22nd minute, the 17-year-old Yamal equalized with a breathtaking solo effort reminiscent of Lionel Messi. His pace, skill, and composure in beating Tchouameni and slotting the ball past Courtois left the Real Madrid defense in disarray.
Spanish media hailed Yamal as the new Messi, drawing comparisons between the two for their ability to produce moments of magic in El Clasico. Yamal, who had only recently returned from injury, showed no signs of rustiness as he tormented the Real Madrid defense.
Beyond his goal, Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona’s fourth goal, initiating a counter-attack that culminated in Balde finding the net. This wasn’t the first time Yamal had been a thorn in Real Madrid’s side this season, having also scored against them in La Liga.
Real Madrid’s defense, once a fortress under Zinedine Zidane, has become increasingly vulnerable in recent years. The loss to Barcelona exposed their defensive frailties, with the team conceding an average of 1.16 goals per game this season.
Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s defensive shortcomings after the match, stating that his players had lost too many individual battles. The Real Madrid manager called for a collective improvement, but it’s clear that his team has a long way to go before they can challenge Barcelona for domestic dominance.
Barcelona’s victory in the Spanish Super Cup has given them a significant boost in confidence. With Yamal continuing to shine and the team playing with a newfound fluidity, they will be looking to challenge Real Madrid for the La Liga title.
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid has always been intense, but with Yamal emerging as a generational talent, the stakes have been raised even higher. As these two giants of Spanish football continue to battle it out, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the years to come.
