Mbappe scores on debut to help Real Madrid secure Super Cup trophy

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Real Madrid stamped their supremacy on European football with another Super Cup Final victory by defeating Europa League holders Atalanta 2-0

Over 56,000 gathered in The National Stadium in Warsaw to see the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid face the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta.

For the first 15 minutes Atalanta could not get out of their own half but they slowly got into their rhythm of the game. They man-marked and worked hard in the only way they know how – blocking shots and looking dangerous on the break. They had to deal with Madrid’s new number 9, Mbappe, who they succeeded in keeping quiet for most of the first half. They stayed disciplined and kept Madrid mainly to shots outside of the box apart from a close scare when Vincius Junior slid in at the back post just missing a tap in by inches. They also broke themselves with pace at times with Lookman always looking dangerous up front for them. Indeed Atalanta came close to scoring when a shot was deflected onto Madrid’s crossbar in the 24th minute. Just before half time Rodrigo also hit the bar for Madrid with only the keeper to beat.

As Dortmund found out in the Champions League Final at Wembley back at the start of June you have to take your chances against Madrid when they come. In the second half it was a totally different story with Madrid moving up through the gears from the start with Atalanta unable to cope with Mbappe’s pace.

The opening goal came in the 59th minute, with Bellingham playing in Vicious Junior on the left who passed the ball across the box to Valverde who knocked it in from five yards out. The Madrid players celebrated the goal like it was a European Cup Final goal showing they are hungry for the season ahead.

Madrid only had to wait another nine minutes for the killer second goal, which came for Mbappe on his competitve debut for Madrid after his summer singing from PSG. Bellingham split the Atalanta defence with a perfectly delayed pass to Mbappe who stretched to fire the ball into the roof of the Atalanta net.

Atalanta did not give up but Madrid were too strong on the night and it will take a special team to stop them lifting the Champions League again in Munich next year.