Real Madrid lift Spanish Super Cup after defeating trophy holders Athletic Bilbao
2022 has just begun and Real Madrid already grabbed the trophy. Real Madrid left Athletic Bilbao without a second consecutive Spanish Super Cup and took its first cup since the return of Carlo Ancelotti.
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Luka Modric opened the scoring in the 38th minute with an accurate shot into the top corner after forward Rodrygo perfectly rolled the ball into his feet inside the penalty box.
The Croatian was awesome again – after the match, Florentino Perez praised Luka stating he deserves a second Ballon d’Or. Due to the magificent performance, the 36-year-old was named the player of the match.
“I’m really happy to win and to claim the first trophy of the season. Being named man of the match is not the most important thing, the most important thing is getting the win and the first trophy of the season. We will celebrate now, but we have to keep going because we’ve got a long season ahead of us. I always strive to do my best and support the team as much as I can. I’m enjoying my football like never before. You enjoy things more at this age as you never know how much longer you’re going to play. Hopefully I can keep going for many more years like this because I feel good physically and mentally”
Said the midfielder after the match.
Another experienced player, Karim Benzema, then doubled the lead in the second half converting a penalty in the 51st minute after VAR confirmed that the Atletic defender played with his hand.
At the end of the game, Athletic could have brought back the momentum – but a penalty for Eder Militao‘s handball was beautifully denied by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian managed to masterfully deflect the ball with his leg, despite jumping the other direction.
Real remained in the minority due to the red card, but had no trouble holding on to their 2-0 advantage. Quite a comfortable win for Los Blancos.
“We could have gotten back into the game but Courtois ended our chances with that save. It’s a shame but we have to be proud. It’s not easy to make it to these finals. We competed against great teams.”
Athletic defender Óscar de Marcos said after the match.
Interestingly, after the Spanish Super Cup final, journalists asked сlub president Florentino Perez about the rumors of Kylian Mbappe‘s expected move to Los Blancos camp this summer:
“Mbappe is not a Madrid player, so I’m not saying anything. Now we are obsessed with continuing our winning ways again like we did before. People ask me everywhere about Mbappe. What do I answer? Nothing. I say nothing about it,”
Florentino Perez responded.
It is known that last summer he was already ready to leave, but Paris Saint-Germain bosses were keen to keep him and even reportedly rejected an offer of 134 million pounds from Real Madrid. What added oil to the fire of intrigue: the Frenchman announced that he would not extend his contract with the Parisians – this summer he will become a free agent. Real Madrid is the favorite team of his childhood.
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- This is the 95th trophy in the history of the club. Barcelona has 96 titles – the race goes on. Interestingly, the Catalans also have one more Super Cups – 13.
- Real Madrid has won 12 of the last 13 finals in all competitions, including three Super Cup titles: in 2017 they beat Barça in two games, and in 2020 they beat Atletico on penalties.
