• REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 7 – The Belgian was by far the busier of the two keepers. He could do little about any of the goals, and was left stranded by his defenders in two of them. Made some terrific saves, the best denying Lewandowski and Dembele. AFP
    REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 7 – The Belgian was by far the busier of the two keepers. He could do little about any of the goals, and was left stranded by his defenders in two of them. Made some terrific saves, the best denying Lewandowski and Dembele. AFP
  • Dani Carvajal 4 – The only Spaniard in Madrid’s starting line-up, both he and Militao were caught out in the most clinical fashion when, after pressing in the centre of the park, they were cut open by one pass before Lewandowski doubled Barca’s advantage. Substituted after 72 minutes. Getty Images
    Dani Carvajal 4 – The only Spaniard in Madrid’s starting line-up, both he and Militao were caught out in the most clinical fashion when, after pressing in the centre of the park, they were cut open by one pass before Lewandowski doubled Barca’s advantage. Substituted after 72 minutes. Getty Images
  • Eder Militao 5 – A disappointing evening in which he was either caught out when attempting to press, or trying to hold the back line together when others also tried – and failed – to close down a rampant Barca. AFP
    Eder Militao 5 – A disappointing evening in which he was either caught out when attempting to press, or trying to hold the back line together when others also tried – and failed – to close down a rampant Barca. AFP
  • Antonio Rüdiger 5 – Though he was left exposed by Militao and Carvajal in the build-up to the second goal, the German was also guilty of leaving Lewandowski to score by being pulled out of position in trying to close down Gavi. In the third, he stood off as Barca edged forward. Reuters
    Antonio Rüdiger 5 – Though he was left exposed by Militao and Carvajal in the build-up to the second goal, the German was also guilty of leaving Lewandowski to score by being pulled out of position in trying to close down Gavi. In the third, he stood off as Barca edged forward. Reuters
  • Ferland Mendy 4 – Gave Benzema a great chance to open the deadlock with a teasing cross, but the Frenchman couldn’t convert. Soon after, he picked up the first yellow of the game when he pulled back Dembele. Poor evening overall. Getty Images
    Ferland Mendy 4 – Gave Benzema a great chance to open the deadlock with a teasing cross, but the Frenchman couldn’t convert. Soon after, he picked up the first yellow of the game when he pulled back Dembele. Poor evening overall. Getty Images
  • Luka Modrić 5 – With Barcelona off to a fast start, the Croat tried to slow things down. It didn’t work. Barca were too quick and clinical on this occasion. Not surprisingly, he was substituted in the second half. AFP
    Luka Modrić 5 – With Barcelona off to a fast start, the Croat tried to slow things down. It didn’t work. Barca were too quick and clinical on this occasion. Not surprisingly, he was substituted in the second half. AFP
  • Federico Valverde 5 – Not effective playing on the right side of the centre. In fact, he barely saw much of the ball, and couldn’t deal with Alejandro Balde. AFP
    Federico Valverde 5 – Not effective playing on the right side of the centre. In fact, he barely saw much of the ball, and couldn’t deal with Alejandro Balde. AFP
  • Eduardo Camavinga 5 – On a night where Camavinga was among the bright young talents on the pitch, he was overshadowed by Pedri and Gavi. AP Photo
    Eduardo Camavinga 5 – On a night where Camavinga was among the bright young talents on the pitch, he was overshadowed by Pedri and Gavi. AP Photo
  • Toni Kroos 5 – Not the most auspicious of performances from the German who, as a sign of things to come in this game, gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area early on. He cut a frustrated figure throughout, and with Barca dominating he made his displeasure to his teammates known. Got caught out with weak pressing in the second half. Totally outplayed. AFP
    Toni Kroos 5 – Not the most auspicious of performances from the German who, as a sign of things to come in this game, gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area early on. He cut a frustrated figure throughout, and with Barca dominating he made his displeasure to his teammates known. Got caught out with weak pressing in the second half. Totally outplayed. AFP
  • Karim Benzema 7 – He had several of Madrid’s best chances and so it was probably only fair that when Madrid did find the net, albeit with a consolation goal, that he was the man to claim it. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema 7 – He had several of Madrid’s best chances and so it was probably only fair that when Madrid did find the net, albeit with a consolation goal, that he was the man to claim it. Getty Images
  • Vinicius Junior 6 – Only really started to make an impact in the last 20 minutes with the game already gone. Kounde and Araujo did a pretty good number on him. Getty Images
    Vinicius Junior 6 – Only really started to make an impact in the last 20 minutes with the game already gone. Kounde and Araujo did a pretty good number on him. Getty Images
  • SUBS: Rodrygo (Camavinga, 46) 7 – Had a cracking effort from the edge of the area but it was palmed to safety by Ter Stegen at full stretch. Brought some energy to the Madrid side in the second half. Reuters
    SUBS: Rodrygo (Camavinga, 46) 7 – Had a cracking effort from the edge of the area but it was palmed to safety by Ter Stegen at full stretch. Brought some energy to the Madrid side in the second half. Reuters
  • Dani Ceballos (Modric, 65) 6 – Another who will feel he should have started, though he was at fault in the build-up to Barca’s third. AFP
    Dani Ceballos (Modric, 65) 6 – Another who will feel he should have started, though he was at fault in the build-up to Barca’s third. AFP
  • Marco Asensio (Kroos, 72) N/A – Had a pop from distance soon after coming on, but it didn’t trouble Ter Stegen. Getty Images
    Marco Asensio (Kroos, 72) N/A – Had a pop from distance soon after coming on, but it didn’t trouble Ter Stegen. Getty Images
  • Nacho Fernandez (Carvajal, 72) N/A – The Spaniard was an upgrade when he came on, though Barca had taken their foot off the gas at that stage. An odd choice to bring him on with Real chasing a goal, though. Getty Images
    Nacho Fernandez (Carvajal, 72) N/A – The Spaniard was an upgrade when he came on, though Barca had taken their foot off the gas at that stage. An odd choice to bring him on with Real chasing a goal, though. Getty Images
  • BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7 - Almost another clean sheet – Benzema’s 93rd minute goal changed that – but Xavi won his first trophy as Barcelona manager and the Catalans won Spain’s Super cup for the first time in five years. AFP
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7 - Almost another clean sheet – Benzema’s 93rd minute goal changed that – but Xavi won his first trophy as Barcelona manager and the Catalans won Spain’s Super cup for the first time in five years. AFP
  • Alex Balde 8 - Teen full-back continued to do well and again started over Alba. His run to burst past Carvajal and set up Dembele with a clear goalscoring chance was his best moment. Cunning when he needed to be, too. Had the better of Valverde. Reuters
    Alex Balde 8 - Teen full-back continued to do well and again started over Alba. His run to burst past Carvajal and set up Dembele with a clear goalscoring chance was his best moment. Cunning when he needed to be, too. Had the better of Valverde. Reuters
  • Jules Kounde 8 - Supported Araujo in marking Vinicius Jr. Barça’s defence is the best in La Liga and has conceded only six goals – yet three were against Madrid in the league. The roles were reversed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for this Spanish Super Cup final. AP Photo
    Jules Kounde 8 - Supported Araujo in marking Vinicius Jr. Barça’s defence is the best in La Liga and has conceded only six goals – yet three were against Madrid in the league. The roles were reversed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for this Spanish Super Cup final. AP Photo
  • Andreas Christensen 8 - Injury and non-selection meant his Barcelona career took time to get going, but he’s now establishing himself as a central defender in Xavi’s best XI. Calm. Getty Images
    Andreas Christensen 8 - Injury and non-selection meant his Barcelona career took time to get going, but he’s now establishing himself as a central defender in Xavi’s best XI. Calm. Getty Images
  • Ronald Araujo 8 - Came close to connecting with a sixth minute free kick. Handled Vinicius Junior well, aggressively marking him and getting the better of him most of the time. Getty Images
    Ronald Araujo 8 - Came close to connecting with a sixth minute free kick. Handled Vinicius Junior well, aggressively marking him and getting the better of him most of the time. Getty Images
  • Sergio Busquets 8 - Clever thinking to win the ball from Madrid and put in motion the first goal. Played in Lewandowski for a 54th minute chance. Miles better than any Madrid midfielder as he knocked the ball around them. Reuters
    Sergio Busquets 8 - Clever thinking to win the ball from Madrid and put in motion the first goal. Played in Lewandowski for a 54th minute chance. Miles better than any Madrid midfielder as he knocked the ball around them. Reuters
  • Frenkie de Jong 8 - Box to box. Attacked yet dropped deep alongside Busquets when needed. Worked well with Gavi and Pedri, the best example being when he won the ball in the middle and started the move which led to the second. Complete performance. Getty Images
    Frenkie de Jong 8 - Box to box. Attacked yet dropped deep alongside Busquets when needed. Worked well with Gavi and Pedri, the best example being when he won the ball in the middle and started the move which led to the second. Complete performance. Getty Images
  • Gavi 9 - Put Barça ahead after 33 minutes, with a fine first touch before staying on his feet and sliding the ball past Courtois. Assisted Lewandowski, putting the ball to him right in front of goal, for the second. Attacked, defended, ran and ran. Outstanding off the ball. Man of the match. AFP
    Gavi 9 - Put Barça ahead after 33 minutes, with a fine first touch before staying on his feet and sliding the ball past Courtois. Assisted Lewandowski, putting the ball to him right in front of goal, for the second. Attacked, defended, ran and ran. Outstanding off the ball. Man of the match. AFP
  • Pedri 8 - Played as a No 10. Involved in the first goal as Barcelona’s young midfield ran the show. Scored the third after 69 minutes, a simple finish. Another top class performance. AFP
    Pedri 8 - Played as a No 10. Involved in the first goal as Barcelona’s young midfield ran the show. Scored the third after 69 minutes, a simple finish. Another top class performance. AFP
  • Ousmane 7 - Another of the Barcelona players who looked hungrier and more energetic than their opponents. Kept Mendy concentrating. Shot with his right foot on 54 minutes, but Courtois saved well. Getty Images
    Ousmane 7 - Another of the Barcelona players who looked hungrier and more energetic than their opponents. Kept Mendy concentrating. Shot with his right foot on 54 minutes, but Courtois saved well. Getty Images
  • Robert Lewandowski 7 - Coming back to fitness. Headed over and then assisted Gavi for the opener, then scored his first ever clasico goal. It’s now 20 goals in 22 matches for his new club. Getty Images
    Robert Lewandowski 7 - Coming back to fitness. Headed over and then assisted Gavi for the opener, then scored his first ever clasico goal. It’s now 20 goals in 22 matches for his new club. Getty Images
  • SUBS: Raphinha - 6 On for Dembele on 78. Hit and miss at Barcelona so far this season, he came on when the game was won in front of the 57,340 crowd. Getty Images
    SUBS: Raphinha - 6 On for Dembele on 78. Hit and miss at Barcelona so far this season, he came on when the game was won in front of the 57,340 crowd. Getty Images
  • Eric Garcia - NA On for Araujo after 89. Getty Images
    Eric Garcia - NA On for Araujo after 89. Getty Images
  • Ansu Fati - N/A On for Gavi after 89. Getty Images
    Ansu Fati - N/A On for Gavi after 89. Getty Images
  • Sergi Roberto - N/A On for Pedri after 89. Getty Images
    Sergi Roberto - N/A On for Pedri after 89. Getty Images

El clasico Spanish Super Cup final ratings: Kroos 5, Benzema 7; Gavi 9, Pedri 8


  • English
  • Arabic

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 Madrid to score.

They took the lead in the 33rd minute after Real defender Antonio Ruediger passed across his own area to Barca's Sergio Busquets, who began a move that ended with Gavi all alone inside the box to score with a precise left-foot strike.

Lewandowski extended the lead 12 minutes later on the counter when Frenkie de Jong found Gavi, who ghosted in behind Real's defensive line.

He sprinted through the left channel before putting it on a plate for the Polish striker, who tapped into the back of the empty net.

Real Madrid, who had no shots on target in the first half, spent most of the second in panic mode, trying to avoid a bigger defeat.

Yet, once again a costly mistake allowed Barcelona to score. Substitute Dani Ceballos lost the ball in midfield and Gavi sprinted forward and crossed for Pedri to fire point-black into the empty net.

Karim Benzema scored a consolation goal for Real in added time, striking home on the rebound after Marc-Andre ter Stegen denied his first attempt.

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors. 

Points tally

1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3

Updated: January 16, 2023, 6:47 AM