Spanish giants Real Madrid have captured their sixth UEFA Super Cup title, prevailing over Atalanta 2-0 in Warsaw on Wednesday night. This victory marks Carlos Ancelotti’s 14th title as manager, tying a club record.
The match showcased the debut of French sensation Kylian Mbappe, who scored in his first full game with the team. The reigning UEFA Champions League winners broke the deadlock in the second half when Federico Valverde scored to gain the lead. Jude Bellingham then executed a brilliant run, culminating in Mbappe doubling the advantage to secure the victory.
Anticipation was high ahead of Mbappe’s grand debut following his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Initially, it seemed he might struggle to meet the high expectations, but his second-half goal dispelled any doubts. Teammates Carvajal and Modric also earned attention, becoming the first players to win the Super Cup five times.
Despite the defeat, Atalanta held their ground in their maiden Super Cup appearance and now look forward to their Serie A campaign with aspirations of clinching the top spot.
This achievement also marked Madrid’s ninth appearance in the Super Cup, tying them with Barcelona. Their overall record stands at six wins and three losses in the competition.
Ancelotti has now become the first manager to secure five Super Cup victories and joins a select group of five who have won the trophy as both player and coach. This elite circle includes Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique, and Zinédine Zidane.
Match Recap
Real Madrid’s aggressive lineup dominated possession in the initial stages, while Atalanta struggled to establish their presence in the match.
In the 15th minute, Mbappe had his first serious scoring chance, but Isak Hien made a crucial block. Not long after, Valverde aimed for the goal with a low shot that Vinícius Júnior nearly redirected into the net.
As the game progressed, Atalanta began to find their rhythm, nearly scoring when Éder Militão deflected Marten De Roon’s cross-shot against the goalpost.
Just before halftime, Vinícius found Rodrygo open in the box, but Rodrygo’s off-balance shot struck the crossbar. Atalanta was likely relieved to head into the break with the score still at 0-0.
Entering the second half, Real Madrid showed urgency immediately, with Mbappé darting forward but missing the target. Their efforts paid off in the 59th minute when Bellingham connected with Vinícius Júnior, who delivered a clever outside-of-the-boot pass across the goal. Valverde was on hand to chip the ball in, putting Real Madrid up 1-0.
Just nine minutes later, Bellingham provided a perfect pass to Mbappé, allowing him to net his first goal for the club. From that point, Real Madrid maintained their lead, securing their first trophy of the season.
In total, Real Madrid recorded 13 shots on goal compared to Atalanta’s 9 and took 5 corners to the Italian team’s 2. Atalanta struggled to create significant scoring opportunities, managing only 2 shots on target throughout the game.
Jude Bellingham received the Player of the Match title for his critical contributions that paved the way for his team’s triumph. His dynamic play in the second half, coupled with his decisive tackles and an assist for Mbappe’s goal, were key factors in their success.
Starting Lineups
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé
Atalanta: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolašinac, Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Ruggeri; Mario, Pašalić; De Ketelaere, Lookman
