RIYADH: Barcelona were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after goals from Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri earned them a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Barcelona were dominant in every aspect of the game and took advantage of three mistakes by Real to score.

Manager Xavi Hernandez sprung a surprise as he shifted from his usual 4-3-3 system to play an extra man in midfield with only Lewandowski up front, while centre back Ronald Araujo was deployed at right back in order to try to slow down Reals electrifying winger Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius was largely anonymous, while playing Gavi through the left-channel paid dividends as the youngster scored the opener and delivered two assists, the Catalans producing one of their best performances in years to win their first trophy since Xavi took over.

“[Gavi] is a kid that excites us all, when you see him compete like that, putting his soul out there, he’s a character that is contagious for the team, he has an innate capacity for leadership,” Xavi told a press conference. “It comes from inside him, it’s spectacular. At 18, I have said it many times, but don’t let it stop, he has no ceiling this boy.”

Having enjoyed great success as a player at Barca, Xavi returned in November 2021 and after a summer of heavy spending this emphatic victory is a sign his project is moving in the right direction.

Karim Benzema netted a late consolation for Real, who have been far from their best since the World Cup break and also fell three points behind Barca in La Liga last weekend.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a final since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned last season to Barca, who have now won the Super Cup a record 14 times.

Barca broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Sergio Busquets pressed well after a loose Antonio Rudiger pass, leading to Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted home confidently.

Gavi turned provider for the second, running on to Frenkie De Jong’s pass and sliding the ball across for Lewandowski to finish clinically.

Barca netted their third when Real substitute Dani Ceballos lost the ball in midfield and Gavi sprinted forward and crossed for Pedri to fire point-black into the empty net.

The only blot on Barcelona’s copybook was a late Benzema strike, finishing after his first effort was blocked.

“To say it was humiliation is disrespectful,” Ancelotti told a news conference. “We lost a game against Barcelona like we beat them in the league. They played better and they deserved it, full stop.”

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2023