Misa Rodriguez stood, hands on hips, like alexia putellas Went away celebrating.
real Madrid The goalkeeper did everything he could to keep his side in Saturday’s Spanish Supercopa final in Castellón. he faced 18 shots barcelona – 12 of them were on target – and dealt with almost all of them.
Still, it was not enough. In extra time, Putellas sent Rodríguez the wrong way from the penalty spot and the game was decided 2–0 in favor of Barça.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was soon surrounded by teammates, who were jumping up and down by the touchline. It was a familiar feeling. Barça were on track to win their sixth Supercopa, and their fifth consecutive clean sweep since 2022.
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Madrid’s wait for its first trophy continues. The team was only formed in 2020, but they are hungry, starving, for silverware. This time at the Estadio Castellía, Rodriguez and his teammates were left to contemplate how close they had come.
Madrid coach Pau Quesada said afterwards, “It makes us angry, we don’t think so much about their two goals – which we have to improve and work on – but because those good feelings don’t give us the Supercopa.”
“In football, good feelings help you develop, but in the end, what matters is winning. We didn’t do that today, and we had to go home angry. But we know the players gave everything.”
Madrid pushed Barcelona closer than in last year’s Supercopa final, which Barca won 5–0, and perhaps closer than any of their previous 20 meetings so far. But victory was far from them.
There is no doubt that the distance between the two sides is reducing. Madrid achieved their first historic win in the match by beating Barcelona less than 12 months ago 3-1 In front of a stunned crowd of 35,000 in Montjuic on March 23, 2025. This was a success after 18 consecutive defeats.
It felt like a before-and-after moment that might have served as a catalyst to propel Madrid forward. The feeling of narrowing the gap was helped by Barcelona’s cost-cutting transfer business last summer, which led to cuts and weakening of their squad.
The 2025–26 season presented an opportunity for Madrid. And so far, they haven’t taken it. In Liga FMadrid is 10 points behind Barcelona after 17 matches have been played. They have already lost three league games this season – more than in 2024-25 – including 4-0 when the teams met in November.
For a club that makes its mark on the trophies it wins, the wait to lift the first trophy continues. Madrid has played in three finals so far: in 2023 copa de la reinaAnd two Supercoppas, in 2025 and now 2026.
The Copa de la Reina final might have been the most painful, losing on penalties. Atletico Madrid. There was no competition in last season’s Supercopa final, which Barça won easily.
Saturday’s game was a different story. Esme Brugues Put Barcelona ahead from a set piece in the 28th minute, with his near-post header mapy leoncorner of. But after that, Madrid’s defense – and Misa – stood firm.
ahead in the 58th minute eva pajor She was one on one with the keeper, who beat her shot. Caroline Graham Hansen Headed his follow-up against the crossbar.
It was only in the 93rd minute that Putellas’ penalty made the score 2–0. Barcelona had much more possession – 67% to Madrid’s 33% – and Madrid had 12 shots on target. But Madrid competed until the end.
“It was a great game from both teams, a worthy final,” said the midfielder, Barcelona’s MVP. Patri GuijarroSaid.
Madrid’s attention will now turn to this uefa women’s champions league. Their group stage ended disappointingly, missing out on a top-four finish after failing to win three of their last four games 1-1 draw on FC Twente On the sixth day of the match in December.
Now they face the playoffs paris fcwhom he met in the group stage, drawing 1-1 in Madrid. Following next month’s two-legged playoff, the winners will advance to the Champions League quarter-finals to play Barcelona.
Barça’s European pedigree – three-time Champions League winners, and six-time finalists – is something Madrid cannot yet hope to come close to equaling in the women’s game.
But this Supercopa final suggested that if the pair meet in Europe in March, Madrid are now in a position to compete, whether over 90 or 180 minutes.
This is not the limit of his ambition; But this is progress.
