A one-sided El Clasico transpired early Monday morning (Manila time) as Vinicius Junior produced an explosive hat-trick to headline Real Madrid’s pouncing on archrivals FC Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, January 15.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men cruised to an emphatic 4-1 demolition of their fellow La Liga powerhouse thanks to a hot start ignited by Vini who fired three goals in the first half, bringing Los Blancos just one trophy away from Barça’s record of 14 Supercopa wins.

Vinicius Jr. quickly went for business at the KSU Stadium after peeling away from Barcelona’s Jules Koundé and met Jude Bellingham’s fine throughball past the sleeping Catalan defense.

Surgical on his dribbling skills, the Brazilian then proceeded to beat Inaki Pena in the latter’s box for a clinical finish that put Los Blancos in front, 1-nil, in just seven minutes.

Vinicius then paid a fitting tribute to match attendee Cristiano Ronaldo by replicating the former Madrid striker’s ‘Siuuu’ celebration after scoring his opening goal.

“I did the Siu celebration for Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s my idol,” the 23-year-old Canarinho told reporters.

Vini Jr. put Madrid further in control of the match three minutes later when he found the back of Pena’s goal courtesy of a Rodrygo Goes assist to make it a blistering 2-0 lead for the men in white.

Blaugrana pulled one back in the 33rd minute after veteran Robert Lewandowski netted a golazo that went beyond Andriy Lunin’s hands and halved the deficit, 2-1.

But a costly yellow card on Ronald Araújo minutes later sunk Barcelona to peril as it sent Vinicius Jr. on the spot which the winger cannoned with ease to complete his first-half hat-trick and reinstall the two-goal margin, 3-1.

It was also the first three-goal production for any Super Cup final showing.

Rodrygo put the match beyond doubt in the second half after launching Madrid’s fourth with a bottom strike past Pena in the 64th minute, ultimately quashing Barcelona’s already depleting title chances.

With the Super Cup now on their side, Real Madrid ticks off the first silverware in their 2024 checklist and are still on the hunt for titles in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the prestigious Champions League.

For Barcelona, the Spanish giant’s pursuit of success in the said tournaments is still well and alive, however, pivotal changes are needed if they hope to extend their tradition of winning titles left and right.

Article by Patrick Joseph Dincol