Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-1 to make Spanish Super Cup final
Valencia and Real Madrid welcomed each other to the first semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Prior to the game Madrid were riding a 14-game unbeaten streak whilst Valencia were also undefeated in their last seven outings.
Zidane’s side were without injured Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale but boosted by the return of Sergio Ramos, who missed Madrid’s trip to Getafe through suspension after picking up a number of bookings.
Valencia boss Albert Celades was struggling with the fitness of Rodrigo Moreno who made the trip to Yeddah, but still couldn’t name Rodrigo in his eleven against Real Madrid tonigh.
The Los Blanco dominated the game from start, and punched Valencia right in the face 15’ minutes into the game. Toni Kross corner that was somehow gearing towards goal at once was further directed into the roof of the net by Valencia keeper Domenech to register Madrid’s first goal.
Zidane’s side never stopped pressing for additional goals, Isco struck from a rebound inside the box to send Real Madrid 2-0 up on the 39th minute.
On 65th minute, Luka Modric from the right edge of 12 yard box hit the ball with his “right-sided” of the right foot for Madrid’s third on the night.
Daniel Parejo got the consolation for Valencia after converting a penalty in stoppage time (90+2) to end the game 3-1 for Zidane’s side.
Today’s win send Real Madrid through to the final of the Spanish Super Cup, who will meet the winner between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona who take on each other in tomorrow’s other semifinal game.
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy, Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde, Modric, Isco, Jovic.
Valencia starting XI: Domenech; Wass, Garay, Gabriel, Gayá; Kondogbia, Torres, Parejo, Coquelin, Soler; Gameiro.
