Atletico Madrid wins the UEFA Super Cup

Julen Lopetegui ended his first competitive game in defeat as Atletico Madrid beat their city rivals Real Madrid 4-2 winning the UEFA Super Cup.

This was Madrid’s first game without Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo starting Bale and Benzema together as well as Keylor Navas in goal as Thibaut Courtois wasn’t part of the matchday squad. Antoine Griezmann started for Atletico after winning the World Cup with France while Thomas Lemar and Rodri were given their full debuts. Diego Simeone was in the stands as his four-match ban by UEFA continues leaving his assistant German Burgos with the responsibilities on the touchline. The match was held at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.

Atletico took the lead in less than a minute from Diego Costa winning a header from Sergio Ramos before scoring from a tight angle. Real equalized before half-time when Karim Benzema headed the ball from a cross by Gareth Bale. The UEFA Champions League winners then took the lead from a penalty which was awarded from a handball by Juanfran. Sergio Ramos stepped up to slot the penalty in. Diego Costa, who was Man of the Match, equalized in the 79th minute taking the game to extra time.

In the 98th minute, Atletico took the lead again from a superb goal from Saul who fired a left-footed volley from 17 yards beating Keylor Navas. They later got the important fourth goal from Koke securing victory as they have now won their seventh trophy since Simeone was appointed in 2011. They start their La Liga campaign on Monday against Valencia as they will be looking to push Barcelona for the title while Real starts their campaign against Getafe on Sunday.