Amid the inevitable intensity of El Clásico - which was further stoked by a trophy being at stake - it was composed play that put Los Blancos ahead just seven minutes in.
Jude Bellingham slipped a perfectly weighted ball through for Vinícius Júnior to round Iñaki Peña and slide in his first goal since returning from injury.
Remarkably, the Brazilian had another by the time the clock had hit 10 minutes, sliding in at the back post to convert from Rodrygo’s ball across goal after his compatriot had been played behind the Blaugrana’s backline.
Ferran Torres came close to a swift response with an instinctive effort that hit the crossbar, but Robert Lewandowski was the man to eventually renew Barça’s hopes.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, he latched onto Ferland Mendy’s looping header with a venomous volley to beat Lunin. Any excitement was soon replaced by frustration, though, as Ronald Araújo was booked and conceded a penalty for pulling down Vinícius Júnior when he tried to reach Aurélien Tchouaméni’s cross.
The Brazilian confidently completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, while one of Xavi Hernández’s assistants was sent off in the aftermath.
Pedri struck marginally wide with the final kick of the first half, and Barça had their fair share of possession after the break but still required timely interventions from Jules Koundé to halt Vinícius Júnior and Tchouaméni in his own box.
Xavi tried to alter the game’s direction with a triple change but saw his side concede just three minutes later, when Rodrygo capitalised on Koundé’s unconvincing clearance with a clinical finish.
Barça’s evening still got worse, as Araújo was booked again for swiping Vinícius Júnior from behind.
Substitutes Brahim Díaz and João Félix were both denied following eye-catching play at either end, as Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 matches and, more importantly, lifted the Supercopa de España for the 13th time.
That is one fewer time than leaders Barcelona, whose own five-game unbeaten run was brought to an end.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
