Saudi Arabia: Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid for the first time since the competition was revamped and moved to Saudi Arabia.

In a lucrative deal for the Spanish football federation, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Pedri each scored a goal on 15th January 2023 at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh to give Barcelona its first Super Cup championship since 2018 and the first since the competition’s Final-Four format began in 2020.

Additionally, it was Barcelona’s first title since Lionel Messi left the club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 and since former player, Xavi took over as head coach in 2021. Lewandowski’s pass set up Gavi’s close-range goal in the 33rd minute, and then Gavi assisted Lewandowski on a breakaway just before the first half’s finish to make it 2-0.

Gavi also set up Pedri’s close-range goal in another breakaway in the 69th. Karim Benzema scored a consolation for Madrid late in stoppage time. This was Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s first defeat in a final since 2014. Barcelona has now won the Super Cup a record 14 times. Madrid has 12 to their name.

“We knew it was a chance we had to take, we have lived through an era of changes at the club and in the dressing room, and this will reinforce us to keep fighting for more titles,” Barca captain Sergio Busquets remarked.

? #ElClásico HIGHLIGHTS | Gavi, Lewandowski, and Pedri score as Barça beat Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup pic.twitter.com/No8eFNcvw8

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 16, 2023

The winner of the Copa del Rey and the Spanish league champion used to compete in the Super Cup. Now both competitions’ runners-up take part as well. Madrid played as the league champion and Barcelona as the league runner-up. The current contract to play the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia runs through the 2024-25 season.

WORLD ROUNDUP: Location of fat layers gives chocolate a melt-in-mouth sensation; Study