Real Madrid secured their place in the Spanish Super Cup final on Thursday with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mallorca at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah. The win sets up yet another El Clásico against fierce rivals Barcelona, maintaining Madrid’s hopes of clinching their record-equalling 14th Super Cup title.
The match started off competitively, with both teams creating several opportunities. Yet, it took until the second half for Los Blancos to break the deadlock. Jude Bellingham was the hero of the hour, scoring the first goal just after the hour mark, which came as the result of relentless pressure on Mallorca's defense.
Prior to Bellingham's breakthrough, Real Madrid dominated the first half but were unable to find the back of the net. Mallorca's goalkeeper, Dominik Greif, showcased his skills with several impressive saves. Bellingham and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni were among the players who came closest to scoring, but Greif kept them at bay.
The decisive moment arrived in the 63rd minute, when Rodrygo struck the post with his header. Although Kylian Mbappé's follow-up shot was expertly denied by Greif, Bellingham was quick to latch onto the rebound. With three defenders blocking his path, he successfully slotted the ball under Greif and past the defenders to give Madrid the lead.
Real Madrid continued to pile on the pressure, and their efforts eventually paid off again late in the match. Martin Valjent of Mallorca inadvertently sealed the fate of his team by turning a pass from Brahim Díaz awkwardly past Greif for an own goal during stoppage time. Moments later, Rodrygo added gloss to the scoreline, converting Lucas Vázquez's pinpoint cross from close range.
The final whistle blew with the score at 3-0, and the match ended with some minor tensions before calm was restored. With this victory, Real Madrid hopes to build on their momentum as they prepare for the Super Cup final on Sunday, where they will face Barcelona, who recently defeated Athletic Bilbao.
This clash marks the third consecutive time the two clubs will meet in the Spanish Super Cup final, emphasizing the growing rivalry. Last year's match saw Madrid triumph, but with Barcelona holding the current record of 14 Super Cup titles compared to Madrid's 13, both teams are driven by the chance to make history.
Former Madrid striker Karim Benzema was present at the match, watching on as his old team competed at the top level. The increasing prominence of the Super Cup as both a sporting and commercial event has become apparent since it began being held in Saudi Arabia following a 2019 agreement, making the tournament more lucrative for all involved.
Despite some shaky moments during the first half, Madrid's tactical prowess and persistence shone through after the break, showcasing their potential as they aim to defend their title and secure yet another piece of silverware. Fans await the final battle against their historical rivals with bated breath, hoping for another victory to round off what appears to be another successful chapter in the club's storied history.