News Archive

Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid are this year's Spanish Super Cup winners, Zidane’s side defeating city rivals Atlético Madrid 4-1 on penalties in the final after the match itself finished 0-0. Neither keeper was particularly troubled in the first ninety minutes, Courtois saving a couple of times from Morata and from Thomas, and Oblak keeping out Casemiro, Modric and Mendy. Joao Felix, Fede Valverde and Jovic all missed chances, and with three minutes of extra time to go, Valverde (who was named man-of-the-match!) was sent off for bringing down Morata as he advanced on goal. That took it to penalties, and after Saúl hit the post and Courtois saved from Thomas, Sergio Ramos fired home the winner to hand the title to Real Madrid, who, by rights (after finishing third in the league last season), should not have even taken part in the competition! (12.01.20)

Atlético Madrid will be Real Madrid’s opponents in this year’s Super Cup final after they won 2-3 against Barcelona on Thursday. Half time substitute Koke gave Simeone’s side the lead just a minute after the restart, but strikes by Messi and Griezmann turned the scoreline around soon afterwards. Oblak had to make a couple of important saves, and Messi and Piqué had goals ruled out by VAR, but Morata levelled it from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go after Neto brought down Vitolo in the area, and Correa got the winner near the end. The result means that neither the Spanish league champions nor the cup winners will be in this season’s final, which furthermore will take place over 4,000 kilometres away in a half empty stadium. Such is the power of money. (09.01.20)

Spain’s revamped Super Cup kicked off in Saudi Arabia this week, with four teams competing for this year’s title, league champions Barcelona, cup winners Valencia, and the teams finishing second and third in the league, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. Real Madrid are the first team through to the final after they beat Valencia 1-3 on Wednesday, Kroos starting things off with an inswinging corner which caught keeper Jaume out of position on the quarter hour mark. Before the break Isco made it two after Garay blocked a shot from Modric, and Modric himself scored the third with a shot from outside of the area after the restart. Dani Parejo got a last minute consolation for Ches from the penalty spot after Ramos handled in the area, but too late to change the result. (08.01.20)