Barcelona v Real Madrid Live Commentary & Result, 12/01/2022, Super Cup

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Madrid advance to the Super Cup final where they will play either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Barcelona are next in action in the Copa del Rey next week on the road to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16.

Real Madrid advance to the final of the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2 victory over Barcelona in Riyadh after extra-time. Vinicius Junior put Los Blancos ahead, only to be pegged back by Luuk de Jong. Karim Benzema restored Madrid's advantage, but Ansu Fati replied once more for the Catalan club to send the contest into extra-time. Madrid took their third and decisive lead as Federico Valverde converted following a swift counter to secure the win for Carlo Ancelotti's men, defeating Barca for the fifth time on the bounce.

120' + 2' FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 2-3 REAL MADRID

120' + 2' WIDE! Rodrygo spurns the chance to kill off the contest as Benzema puts the ball on a plate for the Brazilian. He collects an offload from Benzema with only Ter Stegen to beat, but the forward slides his effort wide of the right post.

120' + 1' CHANCE! Pique heads a cross from Dembele towards Fati on the penalty spot. He produces an acrobatic effort at goal, but it does not have the power to find the bottom-left corner drifting away from the net.

120' There will be two minutes of added time.

119' Jutgla tries to take on Militao down the left-inside channel. The Madrid defender fends off the forward and then goes down to win a free-kick for Los Blancos.

117' Camavinga has space once more down the left flank, but he tries to go on the outside of Araujo and loses out to the Barca defender.

117' Benzema has space on the counter, but he delays his pass for Camavinga before the midfielder sends a poor cross towards Rodrygo that forces the Brazilian away from goal.

115' Barcelona are looking short of ideas in the final third at the moment. Dembele has been their source of inspiration, but he looks to be a spent force after a fine outing.

112' Depay cuts the ball back to Fati, who goes down under pressure from Vazquez. However, the challenge is fair from the Madrid man, winning the ball.

Ferran Jutglà

A. Ezzalzouli

110' Ez Abde is withdrawn for the Catalan club after only entering the game in the second half. Jutgla replaces the winger.

E. Camavinga

Vinícius Júnior

110' Camavinga replaces Vinicius to shore up the Madrid midfield for the closing stages of the game. The Brazilian forward was cramping up after a fine performance.

109' CLOSE! Ez Abde takes a step away from Casemiro on the edge of the Madrid box and fires low and hard towards the bottom-left corner, but the ball travels just wide of the left post.

107' Pedri loses possession to Benzema and it allows Casemiro to take a strike from the edge of the box as he supports the forward. However, he can only fire a tame effort straight at Ter Stegen.

106' We're back under way in extra-time in Riyadh.

Real Madrid have the lead once more in the contest courtesy of Federico Valverde. Can Barcelona come back for a third time in the second half of extra-time?

105' + 1' HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME: BARCELONA 2-3 REAL MADRID

105' + 1' Araujo makes a vital interception to break up an attack involving Benzema. The defender just gets a boot in to prevent the Frenchman from finding Vinicius in space.

105' There will be one minute of added time.

103' Barcelona are still plugging away at the Madrid backline. There could be further goals in this contest, therefore, Madrid might have to score again.

101' OVER! Pedri launches an ambitious strike from 25 yards from the resulting corner. He connects well with his effort, but sends it just over the bar.

101' DOUBLE SAVE! Courtois keeps Madrid ahead with two smart stops to deny Busquets and Dembele. The midfielder launches a low strike at goal from the edge of the box that the Belgian pushes away from goal. Dembele latches on the rebound and goes for power with his left-footed strike from the left-inside channel, only to be denied by the Madrid keeper with strong hands.

F. Valverde

Yellow Card

99' Valverde goes into the book for taking his shirt off after celebrating his goal.

Rodrygo

Assist

98' Rodrygo collects on the right flank from Casemiro and places a low ball into the middle that is converted by Valverde.

F. Valverde

Goal

98' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! VALVERDE SLOTS HOME ON THE COUNTER!!!!!! 3-2 MADRID!!!! Los Blancos have their third lead of the game courtesy of a cool finish from Valverde. Madrid hit the Catalan club on the break as Casemiro releases Rodrygo down the right flank. The Brazilian sends a cutback into the middle that Vinicius leaves for Valverde to control before placing his effort away from Ter Stegen into the bottom-left corner.

97' Mendy tries to thread a pass down the left-inside channel for Vincius, but the ball just evades the forward and travels into the hands of Ter Stegen.

95' Pedri tries to send Fati through on goal in the final third, but Militao has his positioning spot on to make the interception.

93' WIDE! Ez Abde rises at the back post to connect with a cross from Dembele from the left flank. He steers a header towards the target, but it drifts just wide of the left post. So close for the winger.

92' Dembele almost gets between Vazquez and Valverde down the left flank, but he falls down and handles the ball in the Madrid box.

91' We're back under way in Riyadh.

Lucas Vázquez

Carvajal

90' Vazquez makes his way on to the field to replace Carvajal at right-back. Carvajal struggled against Dembele, let's see how Vazquez copes.

The Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid heads to extra-time. Karim Benzema restored Madrid's first-half lead, but Ansu Fati scored a late header to keep the Catalan club alive in the contest.

90' + 3' END OF 90 MINUTES: BARCELONA 2-2 REAL MADRID

90' + 2' Ez Abde probes down the right flank, but Mendy fends off the winger to quell the Barca threat.

90' There will be two minutes of added time.

88' Busquets angles a ball over the top for Dembele, but the Frenchman fails to time his run and is caught offside. He failed to control the ball in the left-inside channel anyway.

86' CHALLENGE! Nacho has to make a vital challenge at the back to prevent Pedri making a clean connection on his strike. The defender just stretches in time to knock the ball behind for a corner. Pedri's appeals for a penalty are turned down by the referee.

Jordi Alba

Assist

83' Alba delivers a perfect cross from the left flank that Fati heads home with a fine header.

Ansu Fati

Goal

83' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! FATI HEADS HOME!!!!! BARCELONA ARE LEVEL!!!! 2-2!!!!! Fati makes an impact off the bench as he rises in the Madrid box to head home from close range. Alba floats a dangerous cross into the middle from the left flank. The forward drifts behind Militao and plants his effort away from Courtois into the back of the net. Game on.

F. Valverde

L. Modrić

83' Modric is withdrawn for Madrid and is replaced in the middle of the park by Valverde.

81' Dembele does well down the left flank and he steers an offload for Pedri to chase. The youngster cuts a cross back into the middle, but Carvajal clears the danger. Pedri was offside anyway, but Carvajal didn't know that.

80' Casemiro latches on to a cross from Kroos from a free-kick on the right flank, only to nod his effort straight into the hands of Ter Stegen.

M. Depay

Gavi

78' Gavi is withdrawn for the Catalan club and is replaced by Depay. The midfielder was just beginning to fade, while Depay will offer a focal point.

Nico González

Dani Alves

78' Nico enters the action for the hosts as he replaces Alves.

76' Barca are beginning to up the ante in the final third. They need to get Dembele involved in the action once more.

Casemiro

Yellow Card

75' Casemiro brings down Gavi on the charge and the midfielder goes into the book.

74' Benzema has both scored and assisted in the same game against Barcelona for the first time in his Madrid career in all comps (38 appearances), becoming the first Real Madrid player to do so in El Clasico since Sergio Ramos in May 2009.

K. Benzema

Goal

72' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! BENZEMA GETS HIS GOAL!!!!! 2-1 MADRID!!!!!!! Los Blancos regain the lead as Benzema converts from close range. Mendy raids down the left flank and feeds the Frenchman in the Barca box. He turns to create space for a strike that is repelled by a fine save by Ter Stegen. Vinicius gathers the rebound and fires a low ball across the face of goal that the Barca keeper turns away from goal. Benzema pounces on the rebound and steers a strike home.

69' OFF THE POST! Vinicius releases the run of Benzema in the box and he turns away from the challenge of Araujo. The striker carves out space for a strike on his left foot that he bends away from Ter Stegen, only to be denied by the post. Barca scramble away the rebound before Los Blancos can threaten once more.

Rodrygo

Asensio

68' Rodrygo replaces Asensio in the final third for Los Blancos.

67' Vinicius runs down the left flank and sends a cutback to Benzema in the box. The Frenchman takes a touch and looks for Asensio, but Alves gets across to make a vital interception.

Ansu Fati

L. de Jong

66' Fati makes his return to action as he replaces De Jong to lead the Barca line.

65' Madrid press through the middle of the Barca midfield before Casemiro winds up for a strike from distance, but his effort is charged down by Pique.

63' Asensio goes down after being caught by Alba. However, he appears to be okay to continue for Los Blancos.

61' Kroos makes a break down the left flank and he sends a cutback into the middle that Pique has to sweep away from Benzema.

59' Casemiro almost bundles his way through the Barcelona midfield and defence to send an offload to Vinicius, but the Catalan club get enough men back to quell the opening.

57' Vinicius and Mendy attempt to combine down the left flank, but Araujo snuffs out the danger and clears the danger for the Catalan club.

54' CHANCE! Dembele attacks a loose ball in the Madrid box and strikes an effort at goal on the volley. His attempt travels away from Courtois, but travels inches wide of the right post. The Frenchman has been a thorn in the side of Madrid tonight.

Dani Alves

Yellow Card

51' Alves brings down Vinicius on the charge and goes into the book.

50' OVER! De Jong latches on to a scuffed strike from Dembele from the left flank, only to steer his effort over the bar from six yards.

49' CHANCE! Dembele rolls an offload to Pedri in space on the edge of the box, but he places his right-footed strike inches wide of the left post.

47' OVER! Pedri sends a reverse pass to Dembele in space in the Madrid box, only for the forward to blast his effort over the bar.

46' We're back under way in Riyadh.

Pedri

F. de Jong

46' Pedri makes his comeback from injury to replace De Jong.

A. Ezzalzouli

Ferran Torres

46' Ez Abde replaces Torres in the final third for Barca.

Madrid were on top for the opening 30 minutes, but Barca found life down the left flank through Ousmane Dembele. Eventually the Frenchman was rewarded for his persistence as it was his cross that was deflected home by De Jong. Los Blancos will be annoyed to have allowed their lead to slip and will be eager to regain their footing, but Barca look a threat in the final third.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are all square at the break in their Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash in Riyadh. Los Blancos took the lead courtesy of a strike from Vinicius Junior, but the Catalan club responded just before the interval as Luuk de Jong diverted an attempted clearance from Eder Militao past Thibaut Courtois. The contest remains in the balance going into the second period.

45' HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 1-1 REAL MADRID

43' Gavi pulls back Nacho on the charge and is fortunate to escape a booking. The midfielder has to be careful with his temperament.

L. de Jong

Goal

41' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! LUUK DE JONG LEVELS FOR BARCA!!!! 1-1!!!!!! The Catalan club notch an equaliser in fortunate circumstances as Militao blasts a clearance straight off De Jong and the ball creeps past Courtois with the aid of the left post. Dembele causes further problems for Madrid down the left and he sends a low cross into the middle. Militao goes to sweep it away, but the ball hits off the forward and finds the net despite the best efforts of Courtois.

40' Dembele surges into the Madrid box and tries to carve out space for a strike after twisting and turning, but Modric blocks his eventual shot.

40' WIDE! Dembele sends another dangerous cross into the Madrid box that Torres meets at the back post. He gets caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross and slices the ball wide.

39' Asensio works his way into a central position and lines up a strike from 25 yards. However, it hits Araujo on its way to goal and trickles into the hands of Ter Stegen.

37' Vinicius tries to weave his way through the Barca defence on the edge of the box, but just tries too much on his own and loses possession to Busquets.

35' Busquets clips a ball over the top for Torres to chase in the right-inside channel. He steers a first-time cutback into the middle that Militao has to clear.

34' OVER! Dembele runs at the Madrid defence and cuts inside on his right foot to fire at goal, only to blaze his effort over the bar.

32' CHANCE! Luuk de Jong drifts in at the back post unmarked to connect with a cross from Alba from the left flank, but he cannot beat Courtois with his header.

30' SAVE! Dembele clips a cross into the box from the left flank that Luuk de Jong meets with a firm header, but he places his effort straight at Courtois.

28' Araujo has to be alert at the back to stop Militao on the charge upfield after he latches on to an offload from Asensio in the final third.

27' Vinicius has scored 15 goals in 27 games for Madrid this season in all competitions, as many as in his first three seasons combined with the club (15 in 118 appearances).

K. Benzema

Assist

25' Benzema does brilliantly to dispossess Busquets before picking out the run of Vinicius with a precise offload. The forward does the rest with a fine strike.

Vinícius Júnior

Goal

25' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! VINCIUS FIRES MADRID AHEAD!!!! 1-0!!!!!! The forward holds his composure in the left-inside channel before slotting a strike into the top-left corner. Benzema wins possession for Los Blancos from Busquets before collecting an offload from Modric. He releases Vinicius with a pinpoint pass down the left flank. The Brazilian takes it in stride before finishing in style.

Ferran Torres

Yellow Card

23' Torres is beaten all ends up by Mendy and has to pull his shirt to stop the full-back from advancing down the left flank.

21' Alves has to make an important interception at the back to steer a pass from Benzema away from Vinicius. The experience of Alves has been key for Barca thus far.

19' CHANCE! ASENSIO FIRES WIDE! Vinicius leads a brisk counter for Madrid and he offloads to Asensio on the edge of the box. He takes a loose first touch in the Barca box and then places his left-footed strike wide of the left post.

19' BLOCK! Alves is played into space from the resulting corner and he goes for a blast on the half-volley that Modric has to divert over the bar.

18' Frenkie de Jong releases Dembele down the left flank and the Frenchman has options in the middle. He sends a cross into a dangerous area that Nacho has to head behind.

16' Vinicius tries to bundle his way past Alves in the box, but the veteran holds firm to dispossess the Madrid forward before he can threaten.

13' Araujo clutches his hamstring after chasing Vinicius. He appears to be okay for now, but his condition will be monitored from the sideline.

12' SAVE! Modric threads the needle to release Vinicius behind the Barca defence and he latches on to the precise pass. The forward bursts into the box and fires at goal, but he sends his effort straight at Ter Stegen.

10' BLOCK! Luuk Jong latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Madrid box and shoots first-time on the half-volley, but his effort is charged down by Militao.

8' OVER! Vinicius probes in the final third down the left flank and then finds Asensio in space. The forward curls a strike at goal, only to lift his effort narrowly over the top.

7' Dembele wins the ball down the left flank and has a run at Carvajal, but the winger loses it out for a goal-kick amid pressure from the full-back.

6' Benzema pushes forward into the Barca half and he offloads to Carvajal down the right flank. He clips a cross into the box, but Busquets ushers it back to Ter Stegen.

4' Alba stays down on the left flank after being caught by Carvajal. He appears to be okay to continue.

3' WIDE! Madrid break on the counter and Asensio feeds Benzema on the edge of the box. He curls a strike at goal from 20 yards, but sends his effort just wide of the right post.

1' We're under way in Riyadh.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have played eight Clasicos on neutral grounds with a balance of four victories for each and not a single draw.

Madrid have made two changes to their side from their win over Valencia last time out. Both come in the backline as David Alaba misses out due to injury and is replaced by Nacho. Carvajal shores up the right side of the defence as he comes into the side for Vazquez, who drops to the bench.

Torres make his Barcelona debut after his registration was confirmed by the club following his move from Manchester City. The Spain international replaces Jutgla in the final third in one of three changes made by Xavi from the 1-1 draw against Granada. De Jong returns to the fold in place of Gonzalez, who drops to the bench. Araujo makes his comeback from injury in the backline in place of Eric Garcia. Gavi retains his place in the Barca midfield despite his dismissal last time out.

REAL MADRID SUBS: Jesus Vallejo, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Andriy Lunin, Federico Valverde, Luka Jovic, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Isco, Eduardo Camavinga.

REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.

BARCELONA SUBS: Riqui Pugi, Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati, Neto, Clement Lenglet, Pedri, Oscar Mingueza, Inaki Pena, Nicolas Gonzalez, Ferran Jutgla, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Gavi; Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong, Ferran Torres.

Real Madrid earned their Super Cup berth as a result of their second-place finish in LaLiga last season. Carlo Ancelotti's men responded to a rare LaLiga defeat against Getafe with a 4-1 hammering of Valencia in their last outing courtesy of goals from Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. Madrid have won their last four matches against the Catalan club, including their 2-1 victory at Camp Nou earlier in the campaign. Los Blancos will be determined to continue their recent dominance over Barca with another win this evening.

Barcelona qualified for the Super Cup after winning the Copa del Rey last season with a 4-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao. Xavi takes charge of his first Clasico since replacing Ronald Koeman, and he will be determined to make a statement against Real Madrid. Barca are still not firing on all cylinders after being held to a 1-1 draw against Granada last time out. However, they are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, Xavi is bringing a resilience to the club that they will need in abundance tonight.

Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Barcelona v Real Madrid Live Commentary, 12/01/2022

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