Dean Huijsen’s Challenging Real Madrid Debut in Super Cup Final Defeat to Barcelona

The Alinma Bank Stadium in Jeddah bore witness to a familiar script on January 11, 2026, as Real Madrid once again found themselves on the losing side of a Spanish Super Cup final against bitter rivals Barcelona. The 3-2 defeat, a repeat of last season’s outcome, cast a long shadow over Xabi Alonso’s tactical decisions and, for young defender Dean Huijsen, marked a challenging debut in the iconic white jersey.

Coming into the Clásico brimming with confidence after an October victory against the Catalans, Los Blancos, even with Kylian Mbappé starting on the bench, seemed poised to reclaim the trophy. Yet, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona had other plans, delivering a performance that exposed Real Madrid’s vulnerabilities, particularly in defense. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, a frenzied affair punctuated by a flurry of goals that ultimately left Real Madrid grappling with their fifth defeat in the last six Clásicos.

A Debut Under Duress: Huijsen’s Baptism of Fire

For 19-year-old Dean Huijsen, this Spanish Super Cup final wasn’t just another match; it was his highly anticipated 2026 debut for Real Madrid. Thrust into the heart of a high-stakes Clásico, the pressure on the young center-back was immense. Unfortunately, his first outing was far from ideal. Sports Illustrated rated his performance a meager 5.0, noting he was “poor in his 2026 debut” and “made mistakes both on and off the ball.”

The defensive pairing of Huijsen and Aurélien Tchouaméni, a surprise tactical decision by Alonso, struggled to contain Barcelona’s potent attack. Tchouaméni, usually a midfielder, was “completely out of his depth at the back,” leaving Huijsen exposed in critical moments. This experimental backline was tested relentlessly, and the cracks began to show early.

Defensive Lapses and Barcelona’s Clinical Edge

The match exploded into life after a tentative opening. Barcelona seized control, forcing Real Madrid into uncharacteristic errors. Rodrygo’s poor pass gifted Fermín López an opportunity, which Raphinha capitalized on with a left-footed strike past Courtois, putting Barcelona up 1-0. While Vinicius Junior responded with a moment of individual brilliance, weaving through three defenders to level the score, Real Madrid’s defensive woes soon resurfaced.

Barcelona’s second goal, orchestrated by a perfectly timed through ball from Pedri, highlighted the defensive miscommunication. Pedri’s pass “completely caught Tchouaméni and Dean Huijsen lacking,” leaving Robert Lewandowski with all the time and space in the world. The prolific striker made no mistake, dinking a right-footed effort into the net. This moment was a stark illustration of Huijsen’s challenging debut, as his positioning and awareness were found wanting against one of the world’s most clinical finishers. Sports Illustrated specifically pointed out that he was “caught out on Barcelona’s second goal and played with zero edge.”

A Glimmer of Offense Amidst Defensive Struggles

Despite his defensive struggles, Huijsen nearly made an impact at the other end of the pitch. In the chaotic first-half stoppage time, after Lewandowski’s goal, Real Madrid pushed for an equalizer. Rodrygo delivered an inswinging corner kick that Huijsen nearly headed home. However, a defensive header from Raphinha denied him a debut goal. The clearance, fortuitously for Real Madrid, fell to Gonzalo García, whose off-balance shot rattled off the crossbar and post before crossing the line, making it 2-2.

This moment, though not leading directly to a goal for Huijsen, showcased a different facet of his game, hinting at his aerial threat. Yet, the narrative of his debut remained firmly rooted in the defensive challenges he faced.

Alonso’s Dilemma and the Aftermath

The second half saw Real Madrid create numerous chances, with Vinicius Junior remaining a constant threat. However, the woodwork and Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García repeatedly denied them the go-ahead goal. It was Raphinha, once again, who sealed Barcelona’s victory, his powerful strike deflecting off Raúl Asencio and finding the back of the net with 17 minutes left to play. This lucky finish cemented Barcelona’s record 16th Spanish Super Cup triumph and their second consecutive title.

For Xabi Alonso, the defeat brought a barrage of questions. His decision to replace Vinicius Jr, arguably his most dangerous player, in the 82nd minute when chasing a goal, drew particular scrutiny. The manager’s tactical choices, including playing Tchouaméni at center-back, contributed to the defensive instability. Dean Huijsen’s debut, ending with his substitution for David Alaba in the 76th minute, became another point of concern. His rating of 5.0 was among the lowest on the team, alongside Tchouaméni’s 5.6 and Raúl Asencio’s 5.8, highlighting a collective defensive struggle that Huijsen was unfortunately a part of.

The Spanish Super Cup final served as a harsh reality check for Real Madrid and a particularly unforgiving introduction to top-flight football for Dean Huijsen. While the pressure of a Clásico debut is immense for any player, the young defender’s performance underscored the steep learning curve and immense demands of playing at the highest level, leaving both player and club with significant lessons to absorb as they navigate the remainder of the 2026 season.