Raphinha Scores Twice to Justify Hansi Flick’s Faith in Super Cup Final vs Real Madrid

Raphinha Stars as Barcelona Edge Real Madrid to Lift Spanish Super Cup.

FC Barcelona winger Raphinha produced a match-defining performance on Sunday night, scoring twice as his side defeated Real Madrid 3–2 in a thrilling Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah.

The Brazilian’s contribution went beyond the scoreboard. Speaking after the match, Raphinha acknowledged the personal significance of the night and credited head coach Hansi Flick for restoring his confidence when his future at the club seemed uncertain.

“I always say he was the person who changed everything for me,” Raphinha said. “I was on the verge of leaving the club, but he told me what a player needs. He gave me the confidence to perform, and that changed everything.”

Flick, in turn, praised Raphinha’s mentality, highlighting how his response to adversity inspired the team. “His mentality is unbelievable. Even after missing the first chance, he stayed aggressive and scored the opener, giving the team confidence. His intensity lifts everyone on the pitch,” the coach said.

The final lived up to expectations, with Barcelona and Madrid trading blows in a frenetic first half that ended 2–2. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a composed left-footed finish. Vinicius Jr. quickly equalized with a brilliant solo effort, before Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead. Gonzalo García struck just before half-time to level the contest again.

The decisive moment came after the break when Raphinha unleashed a long-range strike that took a crucial deflection past Thibaut Courtois, securing the winning goal. Barcelona then held on amid late Madrid pressure, including a red card for Frenkie de Jong and the introduction of Kylian Mbappé, to lift the trophy.

The victory marked Barcelona’s second consecutive Super Cup title and their first silverware of the season, continuing a trend that began last year when they beat Real Madrid en route to a domestic treble. For Flick, the hope is that the resilience and composure shown in Saudi Arabia, led by a revitalised Raphinha, can drive Barcelona’s ambitions across multiple competitions this season.