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Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored as Real Madrid claimed a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over Barcelona in the semifinals of the Spanish Supercopa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Madrid took the lead through Vinicius, who raced in behind the opposition backline on 25 minutes and converted a one-on-one, before Barca striker Luuk de Jong levelled the scores just before half-time. Benzema put Madrid back in front midway through the second half, but Barca equalised again when forward Ansu Fati headed home on 84 minutes, forcing extra-time.
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Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde came off the bench and scored a 98th-minute winner, capping a stunning team move as Carlo Ancelotti’s side outnumbered Barca in a counter-attack and supplied Valverde with a comfortable finish.
The LaLiga leaders will face the winner of Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in Sunday’s final.
Wednesday’s result was Madrid’s 100th win in El Clasico since the two sides first met in 1902. Barca have 96 wins in the fixture.
Ferran Torres made his Barcelona debut since joining from Manchester City in a €55-million deal last month, playing on the right-hand side of a front-three alongside De Jong and Ousmane Dembele.
Madrid struck the first blow as Vinicius Jr. opened the scoring, collecting a through ball from Benzema before striking past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barca pulled level just before half-time through De Jong, who was in the right place at the right time when Madrid defender Eder Militao attempted to clear a low cross from Dembele but was blocked by De Jong and into the goal.
Benzema fired Madrid back into the lead on 72 minutes, first forcing a save from Ter Stegan before prodding home from a cut back from teammate Dani Carvajal.
But Xavi Hernandez’s side fought back, and Fati, who was playing for the first time since November due to injury, found space in Madrid’s six-yard box and provided a glancing header to send the two sides to extra-time.
Ancelotti’s side held Barca at bay in the extra period before going in front for a third time following a breakaway that culminated in four Madrid players queuing up to supply finish as the ball fell to Valverde to slot home.
Winger Rodrygo had a golden opportunity to end hopes of a third Barca comeback in the final moments of the match when Benzema set him in for a one-on-one, but he fired wide.