Spanish Super Cup – Valverde scores as Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid 2-1

In another semi-final of the 2025/26 Spanish Super Cup held at King Abdullah Sports City, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 with goals from Valverde and Rodrygo, securing their place in the final.

Shortly after the start of the match, Bellingham was fouled while dribbling forward, awarding Real Madrid a free kick. Valverde then took the free kick and fired the ball directly into the top corner of the goal, giving Real Madrid a dream start of 1-0.

In the 12th minute, Llorente's back pass left too much space, and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak cleared the ball just as Vinicius was about to intercept it. In the 20th minute, Atletico Madrid attempted a counter-attack, but Alvarez's shot was saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois as he moved forward to receive the pass.

In the 29th minute, Carreras intercepted the ball and launched an attack. Rodrygo met the ball, entered the penalty area, dribbled past the defender, and shot, but the ball was saved by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak. In the 31st minute, Real Madrid created an opportunity with a cross, but Vinicius' header went over the goal.

In the 33rd minute, Atletico Madrid took a corner kick. Thierry headed the ball towards goal, but it was blocked by Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois. In the 35th minute, Gallagher chipped the ball into the box, and Thierry headed it towards goal, but his effort went over the bar.

In the 40th minute, Atletico Madrid continued their attack, with Alvarez attempting a chip shot in the ensuing scramble, but the ball went wide of the goal.

At the start of the second half, Atletico Madrid substituted Le Normand for Gallagher. In the 53rd minute, Valverde received the ball and fired a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but it went wide. In the 55th minute, Valverde passed the ball diagonally to Rodrygo, who received it, broke through Le Normand's defense, and slotted the ball into the net from inside the penalty area, giving Real Madrid a 2-0 lead over Atletico Madrid.

In the 58th minute, Giuliano Simeone chipped a pass from the right wing into the box, where Thierry headed it in, pulling Atletico Madrid back to 2-1. In the 75th minute, Valverde crossed the ball, and Bellingham attempted a sliding shot but failed to connect with it.

In the 83rd minute, Atletico Madrid crossed from the left wing, and Griezmann attempted a bicycle kick, but the ball was saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois. In the 87th minute, Atletico Madrid launched an attack from a corner kick. Llorente received the ball at the edge of the penalty area and fired a long-range shot, but the ball went wide of the post.

Ultimately, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 and will face their formidable opponent Barcelona in the final.