Real Madrid start their 2022 year with a title. After their victory in the semi-final against FC Barcelona last Wednesday (3-2), the Merengues won the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao this Sunday (2-0). In a stadium completely committed to their cause in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Carlo Ancelotti’s men dominated against the inoffensive Basques (zero shots on target in the first period). The people of Madrid were solid defensively and offensively hard-hitting to get this twelfth Spanish Super Cup.
Modric and Benzema, the old guard still decisive
For several years, Real Madrid has been supported by its elders. More precisely by his immutable backbone Benzema-Modric-Kroos-Courtois. And this Sunday, Athletic Bilbao again paid the price. After withstanding Madrid’s onslaught, the Basques caved in to some brilliant inspiration from the 2018 Ballon d’Or. The 36-year-old Croatian netted his first goal of the season, with a curled shot from outside the area, after a good Rodrygo’s work on the right side (37th). He thus became the oldest player to score in the Spanish Super Cup final since the 2010 edition.
And obviously, Luka Modric couldn’t be Real Madrid’s only goalscorer in this game. Faced with his favorite victim, Karim Benzema was not going to remain silent. After several unsuccessful attempts (17th, 49th), the French converted a penalty, which he himself obtained following a hand from Yeray Alvarez (49th). By scoring his 24th goal of the season, he is getting closer and closer to the podium of the top scorers in the history of Real Madrid (he is only five goals from 308 by Alfredo Di Stefano). A great way to celebrate his twentieth title with the club from the Spanish capital.
After Modric and Benzema, Thibaut Courtois also showed up. He stopped the penalty shot by Raul Garcia and allowed his team not to put themselves in danger, after the expulsion of Eder Militao (86th). Entering the game at the end of the match (84th), Marcelo, meanwhile, became the most successful player in the history of Real Madrid, tied with Paco Gento (23).