Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 this Sunday afternoon (17), in the final of the Supercopa de España. With the result, Carlo Ancelotti’s team reached its 12th title in the competition.
Superior in the first stage, the team from the Spanish capital opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Luka Modric took off, played for Rodrygo, received it back at the edge of the area and, at first, kicked into the angle of goalkeeper Simón. It was the Croatian’s first goal, elected best player in the world in 2018, this season.
Right at the beginning of the second stage, at 6 minutes, Benzema received at the entrance of the area and kicked. The ball deflected into Yeray Álvarez’s arm. Penalty, scored with the help of VAR. Benzema himself took charge and extended the lead to 2-0.
From then on, the game became more difficult. Athletic bothered with punctual plays, such as Raúl Garcia’s header in the 18th minute, which went close to Courtois’ goal.
At the end of the match, at 41, he got a penalty. Raúl García headed again and the ball hit the arm of Brazilian Éder Militão. The referee awarded a penalty, with the help of VAR, and sent Militão off. García charged hard, in the middle of the goal, but Courtois saved it with his foot.
As a whole, however, Real Madrid managed to defend well and hold the result until the final whistle.
The Spanish Supercup is a quadrangular event that brings together champions and runners-up of the Spanish Championship and champions and runners-up of the Copa del Rey from the previous season. It has been played in this format since 2019, and this Sunday’s final brought together the only two teams that have already won the tournament in this way. Real Madrid have now won it twice (2019/20 and 2021/22), and Athletic Bilbao won it in the 2020/21 season.
The competition took place in Saudi Arabia because the Spanish Federation signed a three-year contract with the Middle Eastern country to compete there. The body often takes disputes outside its borders to increase its audience and revenue.
In the semi-finals, played during the week, Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 in extra time, while Athletic beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.
Real Madrid returns to the field on Thursday (20), at 3 pm, when they face Elche for the Copa del Rey, away from home. Athletic, on the same day and time, and for the same competition, host Barcelona in the Basque Country.
The Madrid team leads the Spanish championship with 49 points (five more than the second-place Sevilla). Bilbao is in ninth place, with 28.
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