Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao: Los Blancos win Supercopa de Espana in Riyadh

Real Madrid lifted the Supercopa de Espana after defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Riyadh. Los Blancos have now won their first piece of silverware this season, and they did so in remarkable fashion. 

This year marks Real Madrid’s 12th time winning the Spanish Super Cup, and here is how Los Blancos did it against the defending champions. 

Real Madrid overcome Athletic Bilbao to win Supercopa de Espana 

Carlo Ancelotti’s men were on the front foot right from the first whistle. While Vinicius Jr had an off night, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo were leading the attack and consistently trying to make something happen. 

Madrid eventually took the lead courtesy of Luka Modric scoring with a wonderstrike. The Croatian would continue being a key part for the team going forward until he was brought off for Fede Valverde. 

Athletic Bilbao came into Real Madrid‘s final third on several occasions, but were unable to create enough chances for their forwards to take. While they had a quiet first half, things opened up for them in the second period. 

But first, Karim Benzema was awarded a rather controversial penalty after a poorly hit effort struck the arm of a player in the box. The referee was asked to consult the pitch side monitor, and he gave the penalty which Benzema converted. 

From that point on, Madrid were comfortable sitting back and letting Bilbao do the hard work. Eder Militao was deemed to have handled the ball later in the second half, after a similar VAR intervention, and he was sent off for the same. But, Raul Garcia could not convert the penalty awarded as Thibaut Courtois saved the strike with his outstretched leg. 

With the Belgian’s save, any chance of a comeback for Bilbao evaporated, and surely enough, Madrid won with a clean sheet despite the late scare.