Vinicius Junior hat-trick guides Real Madrid to Spanish Super Cup triumph

By SABC Sport
15th January 2024

Real Madrid secured the Spanish Super Cup with a resounding 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona, thanks to a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior.

Under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's early dominance was ignited by Vinicius' clinical finishing, as he found the net three times within the opening 39 minutes. The high Barcelona defensive line, orchestrated by coach Xavi Hernandez, proved disastrous, allowing Vinicius and Rodrygo to exploit the space and leave their opponents trailing.

Jude Bellingham, in his quest for glory with the Madrid side, orchestrated the festivities with a sublime assist for Vinicius, who skilfully navigated the Barcelona defence to slot home. Despite Robert Lewandowski's brilliant volley pulling one back for Barcelona, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Ronald Araujo's foul on Vinicius led to a penalty that effectively sealed the game.

The contest marked the first trophy for Bellingham in a Madrid jersey, but the victory was not without its challenges. Barcelona saw the return of Pedri from injury, providing a glimmer of hope amid their struggles. However, Real Madrid's comprehensive triumph underscored their dominance.

Barcelona, despite a valiant effort to regain control, faltered in the face of Real Madrid's relentless attacks. Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde were caught off guard, attempting to play Rodrygo offside but failing, leading to the second goal just minutes after the opener.

As Real Madrid revel in their Spanish Super Cup triumph, attention now turns to the bigger picture. With both teams gearing up for Champions League round of 16 action in February, Barcelona must significantly elevate their performance levels to compete at that stage. Real Madrid, on the other hand, bask in the glory of the first of the four trophies they aim to secure this season.

The victory not only solidifies Real Madrid's claim to supremacy in Spanish football but also serves as a statement of intent as they pursue further glory on multiple fronts.