Real Madrid edges Atleti to set up El Clasico final
Real Madrid booked a Spanish Super Cup final against El Clasico rival Barcelona after beating Madrid derby foe Atletico Madrid, with early goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo either side of halftime setting Los Blancos on course for victory.
Xabi Alonso's side will face Barca on Sunday in Jeddah in a repeat of last year's final, which their bitter rivals won, after the Catalan giant eased past Athletic Club a day earlier.
Real Madrid struck 75 seconds into the game when captain Valverde unleashed a powerful free kick from 25 yards out into the top corner, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak only able to get a faint touch.
Rodrygo went close to doubling the lead on the break before Atleti grew into the contest, forcing Thibaut Courtois into a series of sharp saves to deny Alex Baena and Alexander Sorloth as it pushed for an equaliser.
Real Madrid extended its advantage 10 minutes into the second half when Rodrygo latched onto an incisive pass from Valverde, broke clear of his marker and calmly side-footed past Oblak.
Atleti hit back almost immediately, however, as Giuliano Simeone delivered a measured cross to the back post where Sorloth rose above Raul Asencio to head home and reduce the deficit three minutes later.
Rodrygo almost scored his second to restore Real's two-goal cushion, only for Oblak to block his close-range effort, while Courtois denied Antoine Griezmann's acrobatic attempt and Marcos Llorente twice shot just wide, leaving Atleti unable to push the semi-final to penalties.
