- Real Madrid beat Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday evening
- Goals from Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe earned Los Blancos victory
- Spanish giants win their sixth UEFA Super Cup - a new competition record
Real Madrid beat Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday evening to win their first piece of silverware at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
Kylian Mbappe made his first appearance for last season's Champions League winners and scored on his debut after Federico Valverde had put Real Madrid ahead with half-an-hour to play.
Carlo Ancelotti's side could have filled their boots even more in the second half if it wasn't for a fine display from Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso, with Real Madrid claiming their sixth UEFA Super Cup title - more than any other side in the competition's history.
How the game unfolded
Naturally, all eyes were on Mbappe from the first whistle and it took just 15 minutes for him to have his first effort at the Atalanta goal. A clever cut-back from Valverde allowed the Frenchman a shooting opportunity but a wonderful lunging block from Isak Hien denied the debutant.
Despite the frightening quality in Real Madrid's starting lineup, Atalanta weren't in Warsaw just to make up the numbers. They were willing to go man-for-man with the Spanish giants and press them deep in their own half, even forcing Eder Militao to divert the ball on to his own crossbar halfway through the first period.
In a first half of little goal-mouth action, Madrid spurned the perfect opportunity to take the lead on the brink of half-time. Vinicius Junior's pass found Rodrygo in space inside the Atalanta penalty area but the Brazilian smashed his effort off the top of the crossbar with the goal gaping.
Madrid were almost made to pay for a mediocre first-half showing just two minutes after the restart. A delicate cross from Marten de Roon was floated to the far post and Mario Pasalic's excellent header was met with a brilliant fingertip save from Thibaut Courtois.
However, Atalanta's hopes of taking a surprise lead were dashed with 59 minutes on the clock. Vinicius' exquisite darting run down the left flank saw him reach the byline and slot the ball across the six-yard box for Valverde to tap home, with Madrid turning the heat up at precisely the right moment.
The reigning La Liga champions should have had a second less than a minute later when Vinicius raced through on goal, but Musso's outstretched arm rebuffed the Brazilian's effort. Jude Bellingham could have scored from the subsequent corner, with Atalanta calling on their goalkeeper to produce another remarkable stop to keep them in the game.
But Atalanta could only keep Madrid out for another ten minutes and it was that man Mbappe who grabbed his first goal. Bellingham's smart pass found the former Paris Saint-Germain star in the box and he made no mistake from ten yards, lifting the ball high into the top corner with his right boot.
Musso and Courtois were tested infrequently as the game wore on but it meandered to a tame finish in the end, with Madrid having blitzed Atalanta within a 20-minute period after half-time to deservedly claim another UEFA Super Cup crown.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois - 7/10 - Produced a stunning save to deny Pasalic shortly after half-time, one that proved crucial as Madrid took the lead ten minutes later.
RB: Dani Carvajal - 6/10 - Offered some attacking support down the right-hand side but wasn't too involved in attack or defence. Atalanta's system meant he was seldom tested in his own half.
CB: Eder Militao - 7/10 - Some important interventions from Militao, even if he was beaten a little too easily on a couple of occasions. Used his pace effectively.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - 7/10 - Typically combative in approach and made one crucial intervention to deny Ademola Lookman a free run at goal in the first half.
LB: Ferland Mendy - 6/10 - A solid but unspectacular display from the left-back, who occasionally struggled with the positioning of Charles De Ketelaere. Couldn't offer much going forward.
CM: Federico Valverde - 8/10 - Donning his new number eight jersey, he grabbed the opener after a late surge into the box. Ran himself into the ground to allow the forward line more attacking freedom.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - 6/10 - One wayward pass handed Atalanta a promising opportunity in the first half but Rudiger bailed him out. Covered the ground well otherwise.
CM: Jude Bellingham - 8/10 - Came alive in the second half after a slow first 45 minutes, with his lovely pass setting up Mbappe for Madrid's second. Such a graceful footballer in full flight.
RW: Rodrygo - 6/10 - Spurned his side's best chance in the first half and wasn't overly impactful after the break. Showed flashes of his speed and ingenuity, though.
ST: Kylian Mbappe - 7/10 - An encouraging debut from Mbappe, who grabbed his first Madrid goal with a fine finish. More to come from the Frenchman, who is learning to gel with his new teammates.
LW: Vinicius Junior - 8/10 - At the heart of everything positive for Madrid, setting up Valverde's opener with an amazing and powerful run. Atalanta couldn't keep him quiet after half-time.
Substitutes
SUB: Luka Modric (76' for Rodrygo) - 6/10
SUB: Brahim Diaz (83' for Mbappe) - N/A
SUB: Arda Guler (88' for Vinicius) - N/A
SUB: Lucas Vazquez (88' for Carvajal) - N/A
SUB: Dani Ceballos (88' for Bellingham) - N/A
Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Jesus Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Pablo Ramon, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti - 6/10 - Went heavy in attack to the detriment of the overall team cohesion in the first half but things clicked after the break. A comfortable win in the end.
