Real Madrid booked their place in the final of the Spanish Super Cup with a hard-fought 2–1 derby victory over Atlético Madrid in Jeddah, setting up a blockbuster El Clásico showdown against Barcelona on Sunday.
It will be the second consecutive year that the two eternal rivals meet in the final, once again at King Abdulaziz Sports City — the same venue where they face off this weekend. Last season, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona turned the contest on its head after conceding early, storming to an emphatic 5–2 win to lift the trophy.
Madrid couldn’t have scripted a better start in Thursday’s semi-final. Just two minutes in, Federico Valverde unleashed a stunning long-range free-kick, struck with the outside of his right foot, that screamed into the top corner past a helpless Jan Oblak. The early strike handed Xabi Alonso’s side immediate control.
Los Blancos remained dominant and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half.
Rodrygo forced Oblak into a sharp save after a swift counter-attack, before Jude Bellingham’s pinpoint cross was met by Vinícius Jr, whose header drifted narrowly wide.
Atlético responded with greater urgency before the break and came closest in the 33rd minute, when Sørloth’s near-post header from a corner was brilliantly turned away by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper followed it up with another fine stop from Baena, ensuring Madrid carried a 1–0 lead into half-time.
The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute. Valverde, already on the scoresheet, turned creator with a perfectly weighted through ball that split Atlético’s midfield and defence. Rodrygo burst through the line and finished coolly one-on-one with Oblak to make it 2–0, continuing his impressive run of form.
Atlético were not done yet. Just three minutes later, Sørloth headed home from close range to reduce the deficit and ignite the contest. With the pressure mounting, Alonso reshuffled his defence, introducing Ferland Mendy and Fran García, as Madrid focused on game management.
Rodrygo came close to sealing the win late on, firing just wide after Oblak’s intervention, but Madrid remained composed in the closing stages to see out the victory.
Earlier, Barcelona had powered into the final with a dominant 5–0 win over Athletic Club, underlining their intent to defend the title. Madrid, meanwhile, advanced courtesy of goals from Valverde and Rodrygo, setting the stage for yet another high-voltage El Clásico — with silverware on the line once again under the Jeddah lights.
Source: Real Madrid CF
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