Real Madrid have won their 12th Spanish Super Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in Saudi Arabia.
Karim Benzema secured the trophy with a controversial 52nd-minute penalty. The Frenchman’s shot bounced off of his standing foot and struck Yeray Alvarez’s arm before the referee went to the monitor to confirm the penalty.
Before that, Madrid were already cruising as Luka Modric scored a beautiful first-half strike to give Los Blancos the lead before the interval.
Athletic were solid defensively but never created a real goalscoring opportunity. Inaki Williams was limited to attacking chances and Thibaut Courtois was superb in goal.
The Belgium goalkeeper saved a penalty late in the game to ruin any sort of comeback hopes. Eder Militao gave away the penalty as his arm deflected Raul Garcia’s header away from goal. The referee went to the monitor once again and awarded the penalty but also handed a red card to the Brazilian defender.
Garcia’s missed penalty all but ended the game and Madrid cruised to the final whistle.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side head back to Spain with their 12th Super Cup triumph and also hold a five-point lead in La Liga.
