Spanish giants Real Madrid have extended their European dominance after a 2-0 win over reigning Europa League champions, Atalanta, in the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday.
Second half goals from Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde and summer signing Kylian Mbappe ensured Los Blancos clinched a record sixth Super Cup title, one more than anyother side in history.
The game held huge importance for both teams, as they were both looking to kick off the new season on a winning note. However, only one team came out on top inside the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.
The first chance of the game fell to Los Blancos in the 16th minute, as debutant Mbappe had his close range effort deflected off an Atalanta defender following a brilliant run and cut back from Valverde.
Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior came close to opening the scoring, but the Brazilian reacted slowly to a low cross from Dani Carvajal at the backpost.
After a period of settled possession, it was Atalanta’s turn to test Madrid’s resolve. The Italians almost broke the deadlock, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men were saved by the woodwork as a deflected effort off Eder Militao’s head struck the crossbar.
At the other end, Rodrygo Goes also struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort from close range.
With the game at a goalless stalemate, the second half provided a chance for end-to-end action with as Madrid’s goalie Thibaut Courtois forced to make a save in the 48th minute. The Belgian denied a close range header from Mario Pasalic, who got on the end of a cross from Davide Zappacosta.
Madrid’s contant pressure finally paid off in the 59th minute as Valverde got the first goal of the game. Vinicius found himself in some space inside the box before nicely setting up Valverde for an easy tap-in into an empty net.
Vinicius almsot made it two just three minutes later but his effort was tipped over Atalanta goalkeeper Musso.
The La Liga champions eventually doubled their lead witb Mbappe opening his Madrid account in his first competitive game. The Frenchman, who was teed up Bellingham, found the back of the net from inside the box.
Madrid’s win helped Italian boss Ancelotti become the most successful manager in the history of the UEFA Super Cup. The 65-year-old clinched his fifth title as a manager and his third with the Spanish club.
Also, the duo of Carvajal and Luka Modric became the players with the most Super Cup titles in history, with five titles each, surpassing the likes of Dani Alves, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Paolo Maldini, who all got four each.
Modric also became the most successful player in Real Madrid history with 27 titles, one more than Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez.
