Jude Bellingham once again proved instrumental as Real Madrid secured their place in the Spanish Supercopa final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mallorca at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia. The triumph sets up an electrifying El Clasico finale against Barcelona, promising another chapter in Spanish football’s most storied rivalry.
The match, which remained deadlocked for over an hour, burst into life in the final thirty minutes as Los Blancos demonstrated their championship pedigree. Bellingham, the 21-year-old English sensation who has taken Spanish football by storm since his summer arrival, continued his remarkable scoring form by breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute.
Prior to the breakthrough, both sides had their opportunities to seize control. Bellingham himself came closest early in the contest, forcing Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Grief into a spectacular low save. The underdogs nearly stunned the Spanish giants when Cyle Larin found himself with a golden opportunity from close range, but the Canadian international failed to find the target in what proved to be Mallorca’s best chance of the match.
The game’s complexion shifted dramatically following a concerning incident involving Aurelien Tchouameni, who was forced off after a clash of heads. Rather than destabilizing Real Madrid, the setback appeared to galvanize the team. The opening goal finally arrived when Bellingham displayed his predatory instincts, pouncing after both Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe had been denied in quick succession – the former by the woodwork and the latter by Mallorca’s scrambling defense.
As Mallorca pressed forward in search of an equalizer, spaces began to appear for Real Madrid’s lethal counter-attacking unit. The pressure finally told in stoppage time when Martin Valjent’s unfortunate own goal, attempting to clear Brahim Diaz’s dangerous delivery, doubled Real Madrid’s advantage. The scoring was completed moments later as Rodrygo provided a clinical finish to Lucas Vazquez’s pinpoint cross, putting an exclamation point on what ultimately became a comfortable victory.
The match wasn’t without its controversial moments. Mbappe, whose blistering pace caused problems throughout the evening, had a penalty appeal waved away before halftime after what appeared to be a theatrical fall following an impressive solo run. The incident highlighted the fine margins at play in such high-stakes encounters.
Real Madrid’s victory maintains their impressive form this season and sets up a mouthwatering Supercopa final against arch-rivals Barcelona. The prospect of another El Clasico in Saudi Arabia adds an intriguing dimension to one of football’s greatest rivalries, as both Spanish giants look to claim the first silverware of the season.
For Bellingham, the goal marks another milestone in what has been an extraordinary debut season in Madrid. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has seamlessly integrated into Carlo Ancelotti’s system, consistently delivering crucial performances in the biggest moments. His ability to arrive late in the box and finish with composure has added a new dimension to Real Madrid’s attack, making him an invaluable asset in their pursuit of multiple trophies this season.
The manner of victory will particularly please Ancelotti, as his side showed patience when required before demonstrating their superior quality in the crucial moments. The clean sheet, achieved despite losing key midfielder Tchouameni, underlines the defensive solidity that has become a hallmark of this Real Madrid team.
As attention now turns to the final, both Real Madrid and Barcelona will be aware that victory in this competition could provide crucial momentum for the remainder of the season. With domestic and European challenges ahead, claiming the Supercopa would serve as a significant psychological boost for either side.
The stage is now set for another memorable El Clasico encounter, with Bellingham preparing to experience this historic rivalry in a final for the first time. Based on his performance against Mallorca and his season thus far, the English star seems more than ready for the challenge that awaits.
