FC Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup triumph in Saudi Arabia delivered drama, goals, [and yet another Clasico chapter to dissect](https://semprebarca.com/raphinha-9-0-frenkie-de-jong-8-5-barcelona-3-2-real-madrid-player-ratings/). As always with a tournament of this profile, the focus quickly shifted from the football itself to the margins and those fine details that often shape narratives long after the medals are handed out. This time, the margins were quieter than anyone expected.
For a competition featuring three high-stakes matches, fierce rivalries, and nearly 300 minutes of football, the atmosphere was surprisingly controlled. Tempers flared only sporadically, the games flowed without constant interruptions, and the referees allowed play to continue with an unusual degree of confidence. It was noticeable, even if it wasn’t immediately obvious why. Only once the tournament concluded did the full picture become clear.
Not a single VAR review took place across the entire Spanish Super Cup. Neither in Barcelona’s semi-final against Athletic Club, nor in the Madrid derby, nor in the final itself did any referee step over to the monitor. For a modern tournament played under intense scrutiny, that statistic is rather striking.
According to [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/supercopa-espana/20260112/1002599804/llamativo-var-supercopa-espana.html), the explanation lies in a clear directive from the CTA that on-field decisions must prevail, with VAR intervention kept to an absolute minimum. Even in moments that typically trigger a review, the officials stood by their initial calls.
The most obvious example came in the final, when Frenkie de Jong was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Kylian Mbappe, a decision that would usually invite a second look. Instead, the referee’s call stood without consultation.
The disciplinary numbers reinforce this trend. Across three matches, only eight yellow cards were shown, an average of just 2.6 per game. Barcelona’s semi-final saw no cards at all, while the Madrid derby produced only two, both linked to a heated touchline incident. The final accounted for 75% of all cautions, yet even then, the overall tone remained restrained.
From a Barcelona perspective, this refereeing approach is worth reflecting on. On one hand, it allowed the team to play with rhythm and avoid the stop-start chaos that VAR can sometimes create. Barça thrived in open games, especially against Athletic Club, where uninterrupted flow suited Flick’s system perfectly.
On the other hand, minimal intervention inevitably raises questions about consistency and protection. Certain actions went unreviewed, placing greater physical responsibility on players like Pedri and De Jong.
Ultimately, Barcelona adapted better than anyone else. They accepted the standard, managed the risk, and lifted the trophy regardless. But the Super Cup has quietly reopened a wider debate about whether football is better when referees trust themselves or when technology is ready to step in.
In Saudi Arabia, the answer was clear. Whether it remains so back in Spain is another matter entirely.