Thanks to a goal in the second minute from Mario Mandzukic, Atlético Madrid won the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, 1-0, claiming the trophy 2-1 on aggregate against their city rivals Real Madrid. It’s the first time Atléti have lifted the Super Cup since 1985.
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid: Final score 1-0, Mario Mandzukic wins Super Cup for Los Colchoneros
Mario Mandzukic’s goal less than three minutes into the match was the difference, and Los Colchoneros claimed their first Spanish Super Cup since 1985.
Atlético Madrid's new striker scored his first competitive goal for Los Colchoneros, giving them a lead ahead just two minutes into the match. Moya's long clearance was headed back toward the Real Madrid goal by Pepe and intercepted by Atléti. Antoine Griezmann found Mandzukic free as he moved in on goal and hit him with a well-placed pass, and the Croatian striker did the rest, firing a low shot past Iker Casillas.
All hell broke loose midway through the first half after a series of hard fouls -- or dives, depending on your cheering interest -- led to Diego Simeone being sent off. After Juanfran was hammered and bleeding from the mouth from a foul, the referee refused to let him back on the pitch for several minutes as Real Madrid bombard the Atléti goal. Moya made two great saves to the match, but Simeone’s anger with the fourth official led to him being sent to the stands.
With Atléti happy to defend their lead, Real Madrid were the dominant side for the rest of the first half. On a couple occasions that came within a whisker of tying the match, but the goal wouldn’t come.
In the 39th minute when James Rodriguez slid a pass to Gareth Bale on the edge of the Atléti box. Bale got by Godín, but his shot was dragged just wide of the post. Just before the halftime whistle, Rodriguez ripped a shot just wide of Moya's goal as well.
In the 49th minute, Atléti just missed expanding their lead when Raúl García’s flick on off a free kick hammered off the crossbar. Mandzukic was following up the shot and looked certain to scored his second goal of the match, but Iker Casillas made a wonderful recovery to knock the ball away at the last moment.
Luka Modric made Real Madrid’s chances of another late comeback against their rivals much slimmer when he picked up his second yellow card in stoppage time.
Despite being a man down, Real Madrid pressed hard late, and just like in the Champions League final, Sergio Ramos got a great chance to even the match with less than two minutes to play. This time though his shot was off target, allowing Atléti to hold on for the victory.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Coentrão (Marcelo 70’), Alonso, Kroos (Ronaldo 46’), Modrić, Rodriguez (Isco 65’), Benzema, Bale
Goals: None
Atlético Madrid: Moya, Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Siqueira, Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Griezmann (Jiménez 73’), Raúl García (Ñíguez 90’), Mandzukic (C. Rodriguez 85’)
Goals: Mandzukic (2’)
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