The Supercopa de España final will be the stage for a new classic. Real Madrid picked up the gauntlet from Barcelona and did not fail against a spirited Mallorca, who ended up exhausted, only lying down in the end. The whites thus sneak into their fourth consecutive final of a tournament they have dominated in recent years. In Jeddah, on the shores of the Red Sea, they are already preparing to enjoy a new edition of the match of matches.
Madrid didn't need to shine excessively with the ball to become a steamroller when they heard the whistle. It was going to be Greif, undoubtedly the most outstanding Mallorca player, who would have to earn his paycheck. The Slovakian goalkeeper didn't even have time to adjust his gloves before being forced to get to work. In less than five minutes, Lucas Vázquez and Rodrygo put him to the test to the delight of the predominantly Madridista Arab audience, who actually filled the Al Jawhara stadium on Thursday. The crowd was ecstatic, and with every dribble from Mbappé, every stride from Bellingham, the decibels in the stands rose.
The protagonists
Bellingham, Valjent with an own goal, and Rodrygo sealed the thrashing
Almost two years later, Maffeo and Vinicius threatened to write another dark page, with a quarrel right from the start. One confronting and the other simulating an aggression. A pathetic scene that the referee, with a talk, seemed to manage to intercept, partially restoring calm to the match. Asensio looked for Maffeo at the end of the duel, sparking an ugly brawl as the culmination of the Arabian night.
Back in the game, Mallorca was focused on defending as well as it knows how, which is quite well. Organized and united. However, this translated into very little presence in the opposing half. Although their first attack, led by Dani Rodríguez on the wing, resulted in a very dangerous cross that exposed Larin's shortcomings in finishing.
Ancelotti's team was far superior and Mallorca ended up exhausted
It was an oasis in the desert, that expression made more sense than ever, because Madrid did not stop their efforts to go full throttle towards the final. Bellingham and Mbappé realized that Greif was still very attentive to his work. The white team's pressure eased slightly towards the end of the first half, in which Larin had his second good opportunity, sadly missed just like the first one. Raíllo, Mallorca's defensive stronghold, was asking for a substitution by then, raising doubts about whether the island team's solidity would be compromised.
It didn't seem like that at all, because Arrasate's team came out very well-prepared after half-time, even threatening to take a (small) step forward and equalize the match. It was a temporary mirage.
Ancelotti did not like that, as he was restless on the sidelines, constantly giving instructions. His players reacted, once again trapping Mallorca almost in their own area with their classic tactic of overwhelming rather than polishing their game. Their offensive potential ended up doing the rest and wearing down the rival. After an hour of play, the Mallorca defense finally succumbed, not without putting up a fight. Rodrygo hit the post, Mbappé got the rebound but was stopped by Greif, and on the third attempt, Bellingham managed to find a gap among a sea of legs.
Mallorca did not feel the blow, as they continued to stand their ground, but their strength began to wane until it disappeared completely. Real Madrid, expert in these matters, took advantage in injury time to color the scoreboard. Valjent, with an own goal, and Rodrygo, in the right place, sealed their spot in the final. The final skirmish was the worst possible ending to a beautiful duel.
The match was controversial, with a final brawl between Asencio and Maffeo
There will be a classic match in the Red Sea and Dani Olmo won't miss it.
Technical data
Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Tchouameni (Asensio, min.55), Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde (Ceballos, min.74), Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius (Brahim, min.88), and Mbappé.
0 - Mallorca: Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raíllo (Copete, min.33), Mojica; Dani Rodríguez (Abdón, min.80), Mascarell, Manu Morlanes (Samú Costa, min.70), Sergi Darder (Asano, min.70); Cyle Larin (Robert Navarro, min.70) and Muriqi.
Goals: 1-0: Bellingham, min.62. 2-0: Valjent, own goal (min.92). 3-0: Rodrygo (min.94).
Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea (Vizcayan Committee). Showed a yellow card to Bellingham (65th min) and Camavinga (74th min).
Incidents: Second semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup held at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah. Among the spectators was the former French forward of Real Madrid Karim Benzema, who currently plays for Al Ittihad.
