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Xavi wins first Barca trophy
often draw drastic conclusions and Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa final in Saudi Arabia was no different as Barcelona brushed Real Madrid aside. Barca are back on track after Gavi inspired them to the first trophy of Xavi Hernandez’s management era, while questions will be asked of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid following their bumbling return from the World Cup break.
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Barca were good value for their 3-1 win at the King Fahd stadium. Gavi — still 18, remember — scored one and made goals for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri as Barca took apart Madrid, who replied through a late Karim Benzema consolation. The performance was good and, beyond the significance of a first piece of silverware in almost two years, will inspire belief that sustained success can return under Xavi with a young squad hungry for more trophies.
As for Madrid, they did not look like the reigning LaLiga and European champions during an error-strewn display. Coach Ancelotti did not like the suggestion his side were humiliated by Barca but did concede to having concerns about form. Madrid scraped past Valencia on penalties in the semifinal and lost to Villarreal last weekend to drop three points behind Barca at the top of the league. In just over a month, they travel to Liverpool in the Champions League.
Real Sociedad claim Basque bragging rights
The nois
