Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a tense Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia, advancing to face Barcelona in the final.
JEDDAH: Real Madrid edged past city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a tight Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday. The victory sets up a final clash against Barcelona this Sunday.
Fede Valverde’s fierce early free-kick and a Rodrygo Goes strike secured the win for Xabi Alonso’s side. Alexander Sorloth headed a late consolation for Diego Simeone’s Atletico.
Valverde celebrated his first goal of the campaign emphatically. “After so many games without scoring, today was a great game to get back to it,” he told Movistar.
The Uruguayan midfielder’s powerful second-minute strike flew past a poorly positioned wall and goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Real Madrid then controlled the game from a deeper defensive position.
Rodrygo extended the lead in the 55th minute with a cool finish for his third goal in five games. Sorloth pulled one back for Atletico just three minutes later with a headed goal.
Atletico coach Simeone acknowledged his team’s performance but rued the result. “Despite that my team played very well, but we had to win and didn’t,” he said.
The match was marred by a moment of controversy when Simeone appeared to goad Madrid’s Vinicius Junior as he was substituted. Alonso expressed his displeasure at the incident post-match.
Real Madrid will now face Barcelona in the final at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium. Barcelona advanced after thrashing Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the other semi-final.
