If early returns are any indication, the already-must-see Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry might be reaching a new peak in 2011-2012.
Barcelona captured the SuperCopa after a 3-2 victory in Wednesday's second leg (5-4 on aggregate), with Lionel Messi scoring two goals, including a late match-winner, in a thrilling preamble to the Spanish regular season.
Barcelona twice took one-goal leads, but Real Madrid equalized off two corner kicks that weren't cleared, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema finding the back of the net. Benzema's 82nd-minute finish pulled the two-legged SuperCopa even on a 4-4 aggregate, but Messi saved his best for last to begin his season where he left off last year.
New signing Cesc Fabregas had a hand in setting up the winner, playing a ball to Messi, who touched it wide to Adriano. His cross was played back to an in-stride Messi in the center of the box, where the Argentine superstar finished to deliver another piece of silverware back to Camp Nou.
The end of the game was marred by a brawl following Marcelo's red-card inducing challenge on Fabregas, and Madrid manager Jose Mourinho appeared to poke a Barcelona assistant in the eye during the action.
Highlights from the match (and the brawl) are after the jump:
BARCELONA 3, REAL MADRID 2
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LPXYTLRsgY]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEH9BmYvz0o]
———————–
What did you think of the match? Do you see Real Madrid dethroning Barcelona as La Liga champions, or do you see Barcelona coasting to another title?
Share your thoughts below.