Spanish giants Real Madrid have started the season clinching their first trophy, winning the UEFA Super Cup by beating Manchester United 2-1.
The match played today at Philip II National Arena, Skopje, Macedonia, saw the Zinedine Zidane lads slotting two goals, one in each half via Casemiro and Isco. Manchester United reduced the deficit, when new signing Romelu Lukaku scored in the 62nd minute.
Madrid’s Ronaldo only had a cameo appearance, brought in seven minutes to the end of the game. He would have registered a goal in a last minute free kick, but he hit the cross bar.
The loss was United’s third in four attempts chasing the Super Cup.
In contrast, it was Madrid’s fourth Super Cup, winning also back to back. They won it last year too. Only Milan and Barcelona have won the cup a record five times.
Real Madrid however became the first team to win successive UEFA Super Cups since AC Milan did so in 1989 and 1990. It was also their third cup in four years.
Man United Coach, Jose Mourinho said at the end of the match: “I am happy with many things in the performance. In the Premier League, we don’t have Real Madrid. Although we have a top team they are a different team with different qualities. The midfield players of Real Madrid, there are no replicas – no replica of Modrić, no replica of Toni Kroos, no replica of Isco, no replica of Casemiro. In the second half we found a way to give them difficulties and the kind of football they don’t t like. I am happy with our reaction because after the 2-0 we had a big chance and at 2-1 we had Marcus Rashford face to face with the goalkeeper and we had a fight until the last seconds and to do that is great.”
For Madrid players and their coach, Zidane, they were happy winning again.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, speaking to BT Sport: “It is obviously great to keep adding to the trophy collection. It was a difficult game but I think we played well and controlled the game very well.”
Bale added: “It helped we have been training in 38C heat in Madrid! We controlled the game and deserved to win. We want to keep winning and every game we still have the hunger and desire.”
