Real Madrid revalidates European title

Real Madrid wins the first official trophy of the season, with a 2–1 win over Manchester United. In a well balanced game, the Spanish side were the better team and came up on top.

The blazing temperature -32ºC when the referee blew his whistle for the first time- matched the intensity of the match. The biggest star of the night, Cristiano Ronaldo, started in the bench, and from there saw his teammates winning yet another international trophy.

The game started with chances to both sides. The “Red Devils” applied high pressure, disturbing Real Madrid´s game construction. “Los Blancos” resorted to long balls, to escape that pressure. Modrić and Toni Kroos were pinned down by United´s defence, relying on Isco´s dribbling abilities to circulate the ball.

The first real sign of danger came from a corner. A strong Casemiro´s header smashed the bar, and was the first wake up call for United. From that moment on, the flow of the match changed. Real Madrid became more stable, opening spaces with quick passes, creating shot opportunities.

It was exactly in one of the open spaces created by the European Champion´s quick passes that the goal was formed. A cross from Carvajal finds Casemiro, that slides to the ball and puts in the back of the net. In the moment of the cross, Casemiro was slightly offside. The video referee system was not being used for this game, therefore the goal was allowed.

In the cooling off break, Mourinho surrounded himself of players and gave instructions. Motivated by the talk, the Red Devils tried to score the equalizer. United´s attack simply could not get it right. A missed pass or an interception threw all the efforts to waste, and exasperation started to dominate the team.

On the 42nd minute, Benzema gains control of the ball inside United´s area and takes a powerful crossed shot, forcing David de Gea´s to a dificult save. On the 45th minute, Lukaku (reflecting the lack of danger of United´s attack), headed the ball for an easy save, in what was the last chance of the half.

The second half picked up where the first one left. Real Madrid had the best chances, and 7 minutes after the start of the half a one two combination between Isco and Bale left the first face to face with United´s goalkeeper. The Spanish striker bested his fellow countryman and increased Madrid´s lead. 2–0 in the 47th minute.

Mourinho immediately called Fellaini to play. On the 53 minute mark, United had the best chance of the game, up until that point. Pogba heads the ball, Keylor Navas saves it forward and Lukaku, without opposition, shoots it over the goal.

After the second goal, the Spanish team calmed the game down, freezing the game in their midfield. Real Madrid kept having the best chances of goal, and on the 60th minute, Gareth Bale came inches away from scoring, hitting the bar with a mighty shot.

Football has an old saying, that goes something like this: “The team that misses their chances, will eventually concede a goal”. This what exactly what happened. Two minute after Bale´s shot, Lukaku scored after yet another incomplete save from Keylor Navas. This goal brought emotion and uncertainty back to the game.

United´s tactics forced Real to move back in the field of play. Despite the relentless efforts, the “Red Devils” couldn’t make materialize any of their opportunities.

This became absolutely apparent when, on the 81st minute, Rashford completely unopposed allows Navas to save his shot. This was the chance of the night, and the last significant attack from Man.U for the rest of the game.

Ronaldo came on at the 83rd minute, and was still able to try one of his signature free kicks. The game was positively marked for the fair play between the both teams, during and after the game.

In another successful European night, Real Madrid takes home the Super Cup once again.

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