- Atlético fail to convert first two spot-kicks
- Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos seals the win
Thibaut Courtois was the hero for Real Madrid as they won the Spanish Super Cup final with a 4-1 penalty shootout victory over rivals Atlético Madrid****************
Courtois kept out Thomas Partey’s spot-kick after making a number of vital saves following Federico Valverde’s red card in extra-time, as it ended 0-0 after 120 minutes. Saúl Ñíguez also missed for Atlético, allowing Sergio Ramos to convert the winning spot-kick in the first year of the revised format of the competition, which was played in Saudi Arabia. (********************************************** It was an th Super Cup for Real, who dominated the 480 minutes but ended up relying on Courtois to send the game to penalties with two big stops. The LaLiga match between the two sides ended goalless in September, so there was no surprise that this was a cagey affair in Jeddah. (********************************************** Real settled the quickest, but Diego Simeone’s men, who beat Barcelona in the semi-finals, created the first big chance as Joao Felix intercepted Ramos’ pass on the edge of the area, but his snapshot went wide of the far post. Zinedine Zidane’s men began to dominate possession, but this was a Simeone defense they were up against and chances were hard to create. Their best of the opening minutes came when left-back Ferland Mendy went on an adventurous run but his shot was easy for Jan Oblak to save.
Real Madrid immediately carried more threat after the break as Luka Jovic was in menacing form, going close after getting free of two defenders. Jovic was enjoying himself and provided a superb chance for Valverde midway through the second half, but the defender somehow headed on to his own knee inside the six-yard box. (********************************************** Atlético had been camped in their half but had a chance to go ahead with 13 minutes left when Kieran Trippier teed up Álvaro Morata but his former Chelsea team-mate Courtois got down well to keep out a low shot. (********************************************** With extra-time looming Real had a chance to claim glory as the ball fell to Rodrygo but he shot straight at Oblak. Valverde saw red in the additional period for hacking down Morata when he was through on goal and then Courtois had to produce two big saves to keep his side in it. He kept out Trippier’s low cross and then did well to stop Angel Correa’s effort and those saves proved vital.
After Saul missed Atlético’s opening penalty by hitting the post, the Belgian stopper then made a save off Partey’s effort to put Real in command. Ramos finished the job as Zidane collected more silverware. Simeone said: “Fede Valverde’s red card was the most important moment of the game. I told him not to worry, that anyone would’ve done the same in his position. He won the game. ”
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