Atletico Madrid Beat Real Madrid to Win Spanish Super Cup
Atletico Madrid defeated their rivals, Real Madrid 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Friday to win the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate.
Atletico’s well-organised defence was unbreakable as they held on to end Real’s hopes of claiming six trophies this season. The hosts made the best possible start as Mario Mandzukic volleyed home the winner from Antoine Griezmann’s pass after just 90 seconds.
Real were caught out by a flying start from Atletico as Raphael Varane’s misjudged header allowed his French international team-mate Griezmann to feed Mandzukic to score his first goal since signing from Bayern Munich.
The visitors slowly grew into the game, though, and Luka Modric was inches away from a spectacular equaliser when he volleyed just over from outside the area. James Rodriguez began to dictate the pace of the game and he was only denied a leveller by a spectacular save from Miguel Angel Moya before the Colombian also directed a header just wide of the target. He then fed Gareth Bale inside the area, but the Welshman pulled his shot disappointingly wide.
Atletico, however, had the clearest chance to double their advantage before half-time as Raul Garcia headed over Koke’s corner.
Ronaldo made his entrance at the break as he replaced the ineffective Toni Kroos. Garcia missed again moments later as this time he fired just wide with Casillas beaten. Ronaldo made his first real impression with a thunderous effort that was well held by Moya, but Atletico were creating the greater threat and went close through Koke and Griezmann.
Real’s finished the evening miserably as Modric was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence when he upended Cristian Rodriguez.
