Tormentor-in-chief Vinicius Jr inspires Real Madrid's thrashing of Barcelona in Super Cup

Brazilian's hat-trick sets up 4-1 victory in Riyadh but antics upset Barcelona bench as Araujo sees red

Vinicius Junior was by far Real Madrid's best player as Barcelona were thrashed in the Spanish Super Cup final. Reuters

Vinicius Jr conceded he was "no saint" after his hat-trick inspired Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Barcelona to claim the Spanish Super Cup while his antics also saw Ronald Araujo sent off for two fouls on the Brazilian winger.

Real toyed with last year's champions at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh with Vinicius the tormentor in chief. The 23-year-old helped himself to a first-half hat-trick including a 39th-minute penalty after being hauled down in the area by Barca captain Araujo.

Robert Lewandowski reduced the arrears with a goal on 33 minutes while Rodrygo sealed an emphatic win with Real Madrid's fourth goal midway through the second half.

It was Real Madrid's 13th Super Cup win to take them to within one of their bitter rivals. It is the second time they have won the trophy since it was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020.

Vinicius was by far the best player on the pitch but his confrontations with match officials and humiliating opponents with unnecessary dribbles earned the ire of Barcelona.

Players and staff on Barcelona's bench, including midfielder Sergi Roberto, appeared to remonstrate with Vinicius in the second half.

"I'm very sad because everyone wants to fight with me because they know it will come out in the media," Vinicius told reporters after the game.

"I try to focus on the game to do the best for my teammates [but] I am not a saint, sometimes I talk too much, do dribbles I shouldn't do, but I am here to improve.

"I want to improve, my teammates and the coach are showing me what I have to do."

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he took Vinicius off in the final stages because he was tired.

"I took off Vinicius for all the effort he'd put in, not to avoid problems," the Italian told reporters.

Spanish Super Cup final player ratings

REAL MADRID RATINGS: The Ukrainian was entrusted with the gloves for the final after sitting out the semi-final, and delivered a reliable performance. Not much he could do about Lewandowski's goal. AFP

After his goal-scoring heroics in the semi-final, the Spanish full-back was more defensive against Barcelona. Did well to contain the pace and threat of Balde. Getty Images

The German defender loves the big occasion and proved it again on Sunday night in Riyadh. Led the defence with a series of tackles and headers, while keeping Barca's attack largely quiet. AFP

A solid display from the Real Madrid captain at the centre of his team's defence. AFP

The French left-back was comfortably the winner in his duel with Torres, although he found it tougher up against substitute Yamal. Didn't matter, though, as Real had a comfortable lead by that point. AFP

Effective at the base of Real Madrid's midfield, the Frenchman put in the tackles and protected his defence while keeping Pedri quiet. Getty Images

The German continued to get booed by sections of the fans for his less-than-complimentary comments about the Saudi Pro League, but didn't let that impact his performance. Displayed his usual full array of passing ability. AFP

A typically all-action, energetic performance from the Uruguayan who helped Real Madrid control the midfield. AFP

A data report last week named him the most valuable footballer on the planet, and the Super Cup final demonstrated why. Got the rout underway with a sublime assist for Vinicius' opening goal, and stayed composed on the ball throughout. Happy to run and dig in, too. Getty Images

The Brazilian was a constant menace to the Barcelona defence. Bullied left-back Balde all game and ended the final with one goal and one assist. AFP

A hat-trick in a cup final against your fiercest rivals is as good as it gets. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he sprinted clear and rounded Pena, and got his second just three minutes later. Completed his 39-minute hat-trick from the penalty spot to leave with a winner's medal and the match ball. EPA

SUBS: (Rodrygo 77') Could have scored just moments after coming on, and remained a threat until the final whistle. Getty Images

(Kroos 81') Brought his usual composure and experience to the team as Real looked to close out the victory. Getty Images

(Vinicius 82') A defensive switch from Carlo Ancelotti to ensure no late drama as Real eased to victory. AFP

(Valverde 86') Provided fresh legs in midfield for the final few minutes. AFP

(Bellingham 86') No time to make an impact. Getty

BARCELONA RATINGS: A horror first half as he conceded three goals to Vinicius in 32 minutes. The Brazilian had scored three goals total in his previous 15 clasicos. And it could have been much worse if Madrid were more clinical in their 4-1 win. Yet he wasn’t at fault for any of the goals. AFP

Part of a defence blitzed by Madrid’s counter attacks in front of the 23,977 crowd. The Catalans’ defence was continually pulled out of shape. Couldn’t get forward as he usually does. AP

Couldn’t get to grips with Vinicius. Did get a foot to a 64th-minute Vinicius cross – but only enough to prod the ball straight to Rodrygo, who scored Madrid’s fourth. Blocked a Bellingham shot on the line. Getty Images

Pulled wide and left a space behind him as Madrid flooded forward and their Brazilians scored all four goals. The positioning of Barcelona’s defenders cost them in the first half. AFP

Gave away the penalty (and received a yellow card) for putting his arm around Vinicius, who then scored Madrid’s third before half time. Sent off after 71 minutes for kicking Vinicius as his frustration got the better of him. Usually Barcelona’s best defender, but not in Saudi Arabia. EPA

Cleared to play after an injury on Thursday, he’s lacking match fitness and it showed. A fit Pedri will help a Barcelona side who’ve missed him and will continue to miss Gavi. “We played the worst possible game,” said coach Xavi. “It started horribly, then we got a bit back to it but the 3-1 [goal] was extremely painful. We have not been comfortable at any time, we have dominated at times, but we missed the chances we got.” Getty Images

Anonymous and outshone by Kroos in a new low for Barcelona coach Xavi. Couldn’t cut out the balls to Bellingham. Reuters

After a poor start for his team who were 2-0 down inside nine minutes, he helped Barcelona control possession in the first half, yet Madrid were content to counter with devastating effect. Getty Images

Outshone by his opponents who dazzled in white. Was out of position as Carvajal set up Rodrygo to score. Needs must means he’s played as a deep-lying playmaker in a side missing Sergio Busquets, yet he’s most effective further forward. Getty Images

Was unfortunate not to score his side’s first goal but Lunin saved. Hit the woodwork but then Madrid scored four against Barca for the second time in three clasicos and Barcelona’s strikers are struggling to score. AFP

Still not at his best, but his low 33rd-minute effort from outside the area was Barcelona’s best moment of the game. Reuters

SUBS: (Roberto 61') Improved Barca but not by much. EPA

(Ferran 61') Showed energy as he ran towards goal, past two Madrid players and got a shot on target after 80. Scythed by Rudiger after the Portuguese had turned him – and he was rightly booked; Fermin Lopez: 5/10 (Pedri 61'). Getty Images

Vinicius' hat-trick doubled his tally of goals against Barcelona, now six in 16 appearances.

He celebrated his first goal in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid striker and the club's all-time top goalscorer, who now plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr.

"The celebration was for Cris, because he's my idol, and now he is playing here," said Vinicius.

"The people in Saudi Arabia have a special love for me, I am very happy for what we did today.

"To beat Barcelona 4-1 is very hard and today we had an almost perfect game."

It took Real seven minutes to open the scoring thanks to a magnificent assist by Bellingham.

The England midfielder was surrounded by three players on the halfway line but somehow managed to produce a stunning pass to find Vinicius who took the ball in his stride and effortlessly raced past goalkeeper Inaki Pena to finish into an empty net.

Real's second came from another long pass, this time with Dani Carvajal finding Rodrygo in the right channel. He broke into the box before squaring the ball across the penalty area for a Vinicius tap-in in the 10th minute.

Barca managed to reduce the deficit with a fine Lewandowski strike from a rebound in the 33rd minute.

The momentum was seemingly in Barca’s favour when Aurelien Tchouameni lifted a cross to Vinicius Jr who was held by defender Araujo as he tried to pounce on the ball. Vinicius took the penalty and netted with a tidy finish to the goalkeeper’s right in the 39th minute.

The goal was a hammer blow for Barcelona and Real dominated the second half with Rodrygo hitting their fourth from a rebound in the 64th minute.

The loss will increase the pressure on Barca manager Xavi, who has faced criticism from fans and media who are unhappy with the team's form.

They sit fourth in La Liga on 41 points, eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of second-placed Real Madrid.

"We have not shown the level required for a match like this," Xavi told a press conference.

"We played our worst game. We weren't comfortable at any point. Madrid hurt us on the counter. I apologise to the fans because it was hard for us to compete and we showed our worst side.

"We didn’t get off to a good start and were never comfortable. We have to congratulate Madrid because it deserved to win.”