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Real Madrid logo
UEFA Super Cup | UEFA Super Cup
Aug 15, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-4

Benzema (27'), Ramos (63' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Costa (1', 79'), Niguez (98'), Koke (104')

Live Commentary: Real Madrid 2-4 Atletico Madrid - as it happened

Relive Atletico Madrid's 4-2 win over Real Madrid as Diego Simeone's side win the 2018 UEFA Super Cup against their city rivals.
2

Real Madrid's post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane era began in defeat this evening as they fell to a 4-2 loss at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final.

Atletico took the lead after just 49 seconds in Tallinn courtesy of a fine solo effort from Diego Costa, but a Karim Benzema header and Sergio Ramos penalty saw Real turn the game around by just after the hour mark.

Costa doubled his personally tally 11 minutes from time to force extra time, though, and a stunning volley from Saul Niguez saw Atletico regain the lead before Koke wrapped up the win six minutes later.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in Julen Lopetegui's first match in charge of Real courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's UEFA Super Cup final as Madrid descends on Tallinn with Real and Atletico facing off for the first European trophy of the season!

That is not the only first tonight, though; this will be the first European club final played in Estonia, it is the first time in this competition's 43-year history that two clubs from the same city have contested the final, and it is the first match of the post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane era for Real Madrid.

It is a match worthy of the Champions League final - indeed it has graced that stage twice in the past five years - so let's waste no time in getting started with the team news...


REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Asensio

REAL MADRID SUBS: Casilla, Lunin, Nacho, Modric, Vazquez, Llorente, Mayoral, Ceballos, Valverde, Vinicius, Reguilon, Sanchez

ATLETICO MADRID STARTING XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Hernandez; Saul, Koke, Rodrigo, Lemar; Costa, Griezmann

ATLETICO MADRID SUBS: Adan, Alex, Luis, Arias, Gimenez, Thomas, Gelson, Vitolo, Olabe, Kalinic, Correa

What can we make of those two teams, then?

Well, the headline news is that there is no Thibaut Courtois for Real Madrid tonight, with an apparent admin error scuppering the Belgian's chances of making his debut against his former club.

Courtois completed his £35m move from Chelsea almost a week ago now, but reports broke earlier today suggesting that Madrid had failed to register him with UEFA in time, meaning that Keylor Navas is named between the sticks. Courtois, meanwhile, will have to wait until Saturday for his debut.

Thibaut Courtois is unveiled as a Real Madrid player on August 9, 2018© Reuters


Another notable absentee for the Champions League winners is Luka Modric, who is only named on the bench amid fierce speculation that he could leave the club for Inter Milan before the end of the month.

Modric's participation in the World Cup - where he won the Golden Ball having helped Croatia to the final - could be part of the reason behind that, although Varane also played in that game and starts this evening.


There is no Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid any more, of course, which places a huge amount of onus on the front three to provide the goals which left with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Benzema endured a hugely disappointing 2017-18 season, scoring just five league goals, while Asensio and Bale will hope for more regular starts under Lopetegui. Bale in particular appears to have been promised a very prominent role in the team, and tonight he makes his first competitive since coming off the bench to score twice in the Champions League final against Liverpool.


It is a very strong Real Madrid side named by Lopetegui for his first competitive match at the helm - perhaps only a Courtois and Modric away from being considered full strength.

The likes of Ramos, Marcelo and Kroos all feature from the off despite the league season beginning this weekend, while in reserve Los Blancos notably have 18-year-old Vinicius Junior, who has now completed his big-money move from Flamengo.


As for Atletico, they have included their big-money summer signing Thomas Lemar for his debut following his arrival from Monaco, with the Frenchman expected to play on the left flank today.

There is also a debut for Rodrigo in midfield, and plenty of scope for more as the game goes on with Arias, Gelson Martins and Kalinic all among the substitutes.


Like their opponents, Atletico have named a strong starting lineup for this match, most notably with that deadly front two of Diego Costa and Griezmann, the latter of whom returns after helping France to World Cup glory during the summer.

Costa is perhaps the one striker in world football who could match Ramos's level of skullduggery so that should be an interesting battle, while Griezmann's decision to stay at the club rather than joining Barcelona could prove to be the best piece of business Atletico do all summer.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring the 2018 Europa League final on May 16, 2018© Reuters


There are four changes from Atletico's starting XI in their final pre-season game, with Savic, Rodrigo, Griezmann and Hernandez all coming into the side, the latter two off the back of winning the World Cup in Russia.

Gimenez, Luis, Partey and Correa are the men to make way for that quartet, although all of them are included on the bench alongside free signing Gelson Martins.


One man who will not be pitchside this evening with Diego Simeone, with the Atletico Madrid boss still serving a touchline ban for his antics during the Europa League last season.

Simeone's behaviour during his side's semi-final victory over Arsenal earned him a four-game touchline ban in European competition, and this will be number three having also missed the Europa League final.


There is bucketloads of talent on both sides, then, which should make for an entertaining encounter tonight as Real Madrid look to become the first team to lift this trophy three seasons in a row.

Los Blancos have only won the trophy four times in total in the past, and three of those have come in the last four finals - in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Another victory tonight would see them join Barcelona and AC Milan as the most successful teams in UEFA Super Cup history with five titles.


Real actually lost their first two appearances in the Super Cup final in 1998 and 2000, but they have since won each of their last four.

This is one trophy that Madrid will have to win without their former talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, though, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner having moved to Juventus earlier this summer. It is impossible to replace a player like Ronaldo - aside from bringing in Lionel Messi - so it will be very interesting to see how the European champions fare without the man who scored 450 goals in just 438 appearances for the club.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after helping his side to victory in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev© Reuters


It is still hard to fathom those numbers in the modern era, and with no replacement yet signed the likes of Bale, Benzema and Asensio are going to have to raise their game to a whole new level if Madrid are to keep on winning trophies as relentlessly as they have been in recent years.

It is never easy to lose arguably your greatest ever player - and the fact that he is even in the debate alongside the likes of Di Stefano, Puskas and co is a mark of his achievements - but to also lose your manager and another of the biggest figures in the club's illustrious history is difficult for anyone - even Real Madrid - to cope with in one summer.


Zinedine Zidane forged a sparkling playing career with Real Madrid, and his managerial stint may be just as fondly remembered by fans, becoming the first person to win three successive Champions League titles as a manager.

The Frenchman stepped down just days after the victory over Liverpool - taking the football world by surprise in the meantime - and Lopetegui certainly has big shoes to fill. Zidane is now one of only three managers to have ever won the Champions League three times, joining Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti in that exclusive club.


It has not exactly been a quiet summer for the new manager Julen Lopetegui either, whose appointment as Real Madrid manager sent shockwaves through Spanish football in particular when confirmation arrived.

Lopetegui had been due to lead Spain in the World Cup this summer, but he agreed terms with Madrid without telling the Spanish FA until the last minute, forcing them to take drastic measures and sack their unbeaten boss on the eve of the tournament.


Lopetegui's first task will be to improve things domestically for Real Madrid. Last season may have brought history in the form of a third successive Champions League title, but in Spain they were a long way off the pace throughout the whole campaign.

Indeed, Los Blancos not only finished a whopping 17 points adrift of champions Barcelona, but they also finished behind tonight's opponents, conceding 44 goals, which was their highest tally since 2008-09.


Madrid ended the campaign with only two wins from their last six games too, although one of those did of course come in the Champions League final which, if you were to pick one game to win, would trump pretty much any other.

Los Blancos will resume league duties again this weekend, with a home tie against Getafe - who impressed en route to an eighth-placed finish last term - first up for them on Sunday.


Getafe were by no means an easy opponent last season, but Atletico have been handed a decidedly tougher start to the new season with an away trip to face Valencia, who finished fourth in the table last term.

Diego Simeone's side will also take on Rayo Vallecano, Celta Vigo, Eibar and Getafe in their first five league outings, with their first top-three clash not coming until the Madrid derby on September 29, and their first meeting with champions Barcelona coming on November 24.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone directs his team in training ahead of the 2018 Europa League final© Reuters


More of the same would do for Atletico next season, although Simeone will be eager for his side to close the gap on Barcelona having finished 14 points off the pace last season.

Even so, coming three points above their city rivals Real makes for a successful campaign, and it was only their second top-two finish in their last 22 seasons, following on from their title win in 2013-14.


We know what we are getting from Simeone and Atletico now, and once again the Rojiblancos boasted the best defensive record in La Liga last season with only 22 goals conceded in 38 games - seven fewer than Barcelona and remarkable half the amount Real Madrid shipped.

The bigger problem comes at the other end, where they were the lowest scorers in the top four. Despite the presence of Griezmann and Costa, Atletico still scored 41 goals fewer than champions Barcelona.


In addition to finishing above Real Madrid in second place domestically, there was also European glory for Atletico last season, hence their place in tonight's match.

Crashing out of the Champions League in the group stages was, of course, disappointing for the capital outfit, but they made the most of it by going all the way in the Europa League, beating Arsenal in the semi-finals and then cruising to a 3-0 triumph over Marseille in the final.

It was the club's third Europa League crown in the past eight years, during which time they have also reached two Champions League finals - both of which ended in defeat to tonight's opponents.


Atletico have made it to this showpiece match on two previous occasions, and they have won both times in 2010 and 2012 - one of only four teams to have appeared in at least two finals and never lost.

Victory tonight would see them become the first club to make it three wins from three in the competition, while they are currently level with Anderlecht, Juventus and Valencia on two wins and zero defeats.


It has been a fairly mixed pre-season for Atletico, though, with defeats in their final two International Champions Cup games and their only victory in that tournament coming via a penalty shootout triumph against Arsenal in Singapore.

Atletico lost to PSG and Inter Milan in their two subsequent ICC outings, while they have also drawn with Stuttgart and scraped past Cagliari.


Incredibly, this will be the ninth time in the past 10 seasons when this trophy will go to a Spanish club, and the fifth year in a row too. It is the fourth time in the past five years when it has been an all-Spanish affair, and the fifth time overall, so it is safe to say that La Liga dominates this competition at the moment.

Whichever part of Madrid the trophy goes to, it will be Spain's 15th triumph overall, streaking further clear of Italy (9) and England (7) as the most successful country.


PREDICTION! Right, we have 10 minutes to go until kickoff in Tallinn, which means that it is time for a prediction!

Both teams have named strong starting lineups for this one, and it is likely to be a tight affair. Atletico seem to have Real's number domestically and, while this is a European clash, it is not the Champions League, which is a tournament Real really seem to turn it on for.

I'm predicting a losing start for Lopetegui!

SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid


Bizarrely, you can split the head to head record between these two sides neatly into domestic, which Atletico dominate at the moment, and European, of which Real are undoubtedly kings.

Real Madrid have only won one of their last 10 La Liga Madrid derbies, but they have beaten them in the Champions League in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Can they add 2018 to that list via the extension of the Super Cup?


These two sides have met nine times in UEFA competition down the years, but Atletico have never beaten their city rivals in a final nor have they ever eliminated Los Blancos from Europe.

Atletico have won two of those nine games, but never a knockout tie, with Real registering five wins in that time.


Both of the meetings between these two sides ended in stalemates, with the most recent of those coming at the Bernabeu in April. Ronaldo opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half on that occasion, but Griezmann hit back just four minutes later to earn a point in a 1-1 draw.

The reverse fixture back in November ended in a goalless draw, meanwhile.


Right, we're almost ready for kickoff in the modest surroundings of Tallinn. A reminder of the team news before we do get started...

REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Asensio

ATLETICO MADRID STARTING XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Hernandez; Saul, Koke, Rodrigo, Lemar; Costa, Griezmann


KICKOFF:  Here we go, then! Atletico get us underway in Estonia!

GOAL!  REAL MADRID 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID (DIEGO COSTA)

Oh my word, what a start this is for Atletico Madrid! Diego Costa gives his side the lead after only 52 seconds!

It is brilliant play from the former Chelsea man too; he flicks the ball on to himself and shrugs off a challenge from Ramos, who should have done a lot better. Costa then powers past Varane and smashes the ball inside the near post from the tightest of angles.

It did not look possible to score from there, but he hit it with such venom and accuracy that not too much blame can even be attributed to Navas at the near post.

Incredible start!

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa celebrates after opening the scoring in the UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid on August 15, 2018© Reuters


Not an ideal start to the post-Cristiano and post-Zidane era, then!



The Atletico fans are making plenty of noise now, and so they should be. Their side have made a brilliant start to this match, with Real very slow to get going by contrast.

Here is that stunning Costa strike for your viewing pleasure...



Ramos catches Costa in the face with an elbow and is perhaps a little lucky to get away with only a talking-to. That is going to be one hell of a battle tonight.

Better from Real as they come sweeping forward with a couple of slick passes, but it comes to a halt when Savic makes a perfectly-timed sliding challenge on Bale. That was an important interception, and he got it spot on.

Real Madrid have begun to settle into this game now and are seeing a lot more of the ball now. Atletico are looking firm as ever at the moment, though.

Lovely skill from Bale as he skips inside past two defenders, drawing a free kick in a dangerous crossing position...

Kroos delivers it into a dangerous area, but Niguez is well placed to head it away in a packed box.

Atletico now win a free kick and have the chance to put the ball into the box, but Lemar overhits it and Griezmann cannot reach it before it goes behind for a goal kick.

SAVE!  Superb stop from Oblak to keep his side in front! Marcelo advances down the left flank and sends a low cross into the middle which Asensio flicks cleverly towards goal. However, Oblak is sharp and gets down well to push the ball away.

Atletico are making life difficult for Real Madrid here, although that will not exactly be a newsflash for the Champions League winners. Simeone's side are as hard to break down as ever, with Madrid struggling to create much at the moment.

Simeone's side are pressing really well high up the pitch. Varane has just been caught in possession by Costa inside his own half, although nothing comes of it on this occasion.

Atletico haven't shown too much going forward since their first-minute goal, but a 1-0 win suits them just fine. There aren't many teams in world football harder to come from behind against.

SHOT!  Marcelo tries his luck from range, and you wouldn't back against him considering his goalscoring record in the Champions League last season. However, this one is on his weaker foot and it is always rising over the crossbar.

GOAL!  REAL MADRID 1-1 ATLETICO MADRID (KARIM BENZEMA)

Real Madrid are back on level terms, and Karim Benzema is off the mark for the new season!

This goal is all about Bale, though; the winger bursts past one defender with pure pace down the right flank and then swing a beauty of a cross into the middle with his weaker foot. Oblak cannot come for it while the defender's can't intercept it, leaving Benzema there to just nod it home from close range.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scores the equaliser during his side's UEFA Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid on August 15, 2018© Reuters


CLOSE!  Real are looking dangerous now! Asensio almost makes it two goals in as many minutes as he races down the left flank before cutting inside and bending an effort inches past the far post.

I'm not sure whether Oblak would have reached that if it was on target!


Here is that Benzema equaliser, with a starring cameo from Bale...



Atletico need to do something to change the course of this match as Real are very much on top at the moment.

YELLOW CARD!  Asensio becomes the first name in the book tonight.

Less than 10 minutes remaining of the first half now and we're still all square in this Madrid derby. It has been an entertaining affair so far, without a huge amount of clear chances.

SHOT!  Bale tries his luck from range after cutting inside from the right, but it needs to be a stunner to beat Oblak from there and the Atletico keeper makes a comfortable save.

Look away Liverpool fans - a Loris Karius shirt has been spotted in the Real Madrid end for tonight's game...



Real have seen the lion's share of possession in this first half, but Atletico are used to that - particularly against this calibre of opposition. Simeone's side have halted Real's momentum now and it is an even game again at the moment.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

HALF TIME:  REAL MADRID 1-1 ATLETICO MADRID

The first half comes to an end in this UEFA Super Cup clash and we are all square between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

It has been an entertaining affair so far, with Real dominating possession as expected by Atletico proving as tough to break down as ever. A very interesting 45 minutes awaits!


The opening goal took just 49 seconds to arrive as Costa scored the quickest goal in UEFA Super Cup history, blasting his finish past Navas at the near post.

There were a number of defensive errors from Real, with Ramos being shrugged off too easily and Varane not making a challenge. Take nothing away from Costa, though, his finish and the build-up to it was the former Chelsea striker at his very best.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring in the UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid on August 15, 2018© Reuters


Real levelled things up shortly before the half-hour mark, though, with Benzema getting on the end of a pinpoint Bale cross to convert his header from close range.

Bale burst past one defender before swinging a beauty of a cross to the back post, where Benzema had peeled away from his marker to nod home. While there were plenty of errors from Real's defence for the opener, there was not a great deal Atletico could do about the equaliser due to the quality of the cross.


Clear chances have been few and far between aside from the two goals, with Atletico failing to trouble Navas aside from that very early opener.

It is Real who have looked more like getting a second goal, with Asensio's flick drawing a smart save from Oblak, but they have largely been limited to long-range efforts.


KICKOFF:  Real Madrid get us back underway for the second half in Estonia!

A reminder that we will have extra time and penalties if nothing can separate these two teams inside the 90 minutes - something I'm sure both would want to avoid with the start of the La Liga season just around the corner.

Atletico will want to see more from Griezmann in this second half. The World Cup winner has barely been mentioned so far tonight, but Atletico could need a moment of magic from him.

Good spell of possession for Atletico as they look to take the game to Real, but Lopetegui's side are well drilled and refuse to get dragged out of position. It is almost like roles reversed at the moment.

YELLOW CARD!  Marcelo becomes the second Real Madrid player in the book tonight for a challenge from behind on Juanfran.

We are about to see Luka Modric for the first time since the World Cup final. Could it even be one of the last times we see him in a Real Madrid shirt?

REAL MADRID SUB: Here is the change, with Modric replacing Asensio.

ATLETICO MADRID SUB: Atletico also make a change of their own during the stoppage, with Angel Correa replacing Griezmann.

Bale collects the ball in a good area just outside the area and he tries to beat Godin with some good skill, but the Uruguayan is not fooled by such tricks and makes a good well-timed challenge.

YELLOW CARD!  Correa is the first Atletico player in the book tonight for a foul on Casemiro.

PENALTY!  Penalty to Real Madrid! A cross comes into the box from a corner and Juanfran gets himself in a muddle when marking Benzema. His hand is up and the ball hits it, so it is the right decision!

GOAL!  REAL MADRID 2-1 ATLETICO MADRID (SERGIO RAMOS, PEN)

Is there a better defender in front of goal? Sergio Ramos puts his side ahead with a penalty oozing with confidence - who needs Cristiano?!

Ramos strolls up to the spot kick, watches the keeper all the way and then sends him the wrong way, tucking his effort into the bottom corner. Real lead!

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring in his side's UEFA Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid on August 15, 2018© Reuters


Costa picked up a booking for his protests after that penalty, and he is involved with Ramos again here. He gets tangled up while running for the ball and ends up trampling on the Madrid captain's neck. It looks to be accidental, though, and the referee seemingly agrees.

SAVE!  Real are pushing for a third now and Benzema manages to get a shot away from an angle, but it lacks the power to really trouble Oblak.

Real look in complete control of this match now. Atletico suddenly need to push forward more and take a few more attacking risks with just over 20 minutes remaining.

An Atletico free kick from the centre of the pitch comes to nothing but they recycle the ball and Hernandez has the chance to put it into the box again. However, he gets it all wrong and puts it straight behind for a goal kick.

SHOT!  Crucial block from Niguez as he gets himself in the right place to prevent Varane's goalbound effort from testing the keeper. The ball bounces back out to Modric, who works space to shoot but them curls an effort off target.

ATLETICO MADRID SUB: A second change for Atletico as Vitolo replaces Rodri.

Just over 15 minutes remaining in this match now and Atletico really need to step things up a gear. They have not really threatened Navas's goal at all since scoring in the very first minute.

REAL MADRID SUB: Concern for Casemiro here as he limps off to be replaced by Dani Ceballos. It looks like the Brazilian could be a doubt for the league opener this weekend.

Costa tries to make something of a ball into the box by taking it down and sending an acrobatic cross into the middle, but there is a lack of support there.

GOAL!  REAL MADRID 2-2 ATLETICO MADRID (DIEGO COSTA)

Atletico have the equaliser with just over 10 minutes remaining, and it is a second for Diego Costa!

It is really poor from Marcelo as he keeps the ball in play but only succeeds in playing Juanfran in down the right. Juanfran in turn squeezes a pass inside for Correa, who reaches the byline inside the area before cutting in back into the six-yard box, where Costa is waiting to fire into the roof of the net from close range!


We are set for extra time and perhaps penalties as things stand, then! Can either side get a winner to prevent that?

REAL MADRID SUB: Another change for real Madrid as Lucas Vazquez replaces Isco. Remember, should this one go to extra time then both sides will be able to make a fourth substitution.

Just five minutes remaining of normal time now! Neither set of players or managers will particularly want extra time, but that is where we are heading as things stand!

The pace of the match has really slowed in the last few minutes, which is perhaps a sign that both teams are saving themselves for extra time. Not ideal just four days before the start of the new league season!

Almost a chance for Atletico to grab a late winner through Costa, but he just can't get a shot away after being teed up by Correa.

ATLETICO MADRID SUB: Another change for Atletico sees debutant Lemar replaced by Thomas Partey.

YELLOW CARD!  Cabellos goes into the book for a late challenge on Correa.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of his match. Can either side find a winner?

CHANCE!  Almost a dramatic late winner with the last kick of normal time as Bale clips a cross into the middle. Marcelo finds himself as the furthest forward and tries an acrobatic scissor kick, but he gets it all wrong and the chance goes begging.

END OF 90 MINUTES:  REAL MADRID 2-2 ATLETICO MADRID

Extra time it is in Estonia, then! Ninety minutes could not separate the two Madrid clubs in this Super Cup clash, so we will have another 30 just a few days before the start of the season!

Diego Costa got both goals for Atletico, while Benzema and Ramos are on the scoresheet for Real.


KICKOFF:  Real Madrid get us back underway for the first period of extra time!

Both sides have made three changes already tonight, but they are permitted a fourth in extra time now. It will be interesting to see whether they use it to freshen up legs or with one eye on a penalty shootout.

SHOT!  Atletico are only able to clear the ball as far as Carvajal, who fires a dipping volley towards goal, but it is nice and central for Oblak, who gathers it with minimum fuss.

It is Real Madrid who have made the brighter start to extra time here. They are looking fresher than Atletico at the moment.

GOAL!  REAL MADRID 2-3 ATLETICO MADRID (SAUL NIGUEZ)

What a strike from Saul to give Atletico the lead once again!

The chance initially looks like it might have gone when Costa's pass to Partey is a little overhit, but the winger manages to send it back into the middle for an unmarked Saul. The midfielder still has plenty to do, though, and he catches his volley brilliantly to leave Navas with no chance.


That is a goal worthy of winning any game. I was expecting quite a tight match with the start of the La Liga season so close, but this is turning into a thriller.

YELLOW CARD!  Modric is the latest player in the book for a swinging arm when going up for an aerial ball.

REAL MADRID SUB: Here is Real's final change of the night as Borja Mayoral replaces Kroos.

Enough talking, only seeing this goal yourselves can do it justice. Feast your eyes on this stunner...



GOAL!  REAL MADRID 2-4 ATLETICO MADRID (KOKE)

Surely that is game over now! It is a sweeping move for Atletico, and it is expertly finished of by Koke!

Costa turns the ball back to Vitolo, who in turn sweeps it into the path of an unmarked Koke. The midfielder still has work to do to finish it, but his first-time effort leaves Navas no chance and it nestles into the bottom corner.


There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half of extra time.

YELLOW CARD!  Vitolo picks up a booking for preventing a free kick from being taken.

HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME:  REAL MADRID 2-4 ATLETICO MADRID

Well, that first period of extra time could have hardly gone better for Atletico!

Simeone's side now lead 4-2 over Real Madrid courtesy of goals from Saul and Koke, both of which were of real quality. Real have just 15 minutes remaining to get back into this game now!


KICKOFF:  We back underway once again for the second half of extra time. Is there any way back for Real Madrid?

How about this fact fans - Real Madrid never once conceded four goals while Zinedine Zidane was in charge...



ATLETICO MADRID SUB: Costa has had a really good game tonight, but he was walking a tightrope having already been booked. He is replaced by Jose Gimenez.

Atletico break forward again and Vitolo takes the ball into the area, showing great footwork to get away from a couple of defenders with very little room to work with. He beats Carvajal about three times in quick succession, but is eventually crowded out.

YELLOW CARD!  Surprisingly it has taken 112 minutes for Ramos to go into the book, but he does so here for a bodycheck on Niguez.

SAVE!  Modric tries to drag Madrid back into this match with an effort from outside the box which goes through a crowd of players. Oblak reacts well, though, to get down and make the save.

Real are looking increasingly resigned to losing this game now. They are still trying to push forward for a goal back, but time is running out and Atletico are holding firm.

Atletico's players thrive in this scenario. They are pulling out all the time-wasting tactics as the clock continues to tick down.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this match.

FULL TIME:  REAL MADRID 2-4 ATLETICO MADRID

ATLETICO MADRID WIN THE 2018 UEFA SUPER CUP!

Atletico Madrid draw first blood in the 2018-19 season, then, as they come from behind to beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the UEFA Super Cup final, winning the trophy for a third time in their history.

Two goals from Diego Costa either side of strikes from Benzema and Ramos sent the game into extra time, but Atletico pulled away in the opening 15 minutes of the additional period with Saul Niguez and Koke getting the goals which ultimately earned Atletico the trophy.

It is not a good start to life at Madrid for Lopetegui, and there are questions to be answered regarding how they will cope without Ronaldo now.


Right, that is all we have time for this evening!

Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Atletico Madrid beat city rivals Real in extra time to win the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to check back in at the weekend when the Spanish domestic season gets underway!

From me, though, it is goodbye for now!


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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring in the Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev on May 26, 2018
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