Football: Mbappe and Valverde offer new European Super Cup to Real Madrid

Real Madrid triumphed in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night in Warsaw, securing their sixth title in the competition with a 2-0 victory over Europa League champions Atalanta Bergamo. This win allows Los Merengues to solidify their position at the top of the UEFA Super Cup leaderboard, now surpassing FC Barcelona and AC Milan, each with five titles.

The match began at an even pace, with both teams displaying strong defenses and creating occasional chances. However, Real Madrid gained the upper hand in the second half, thanks to a decisive pass from Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian winger, who was exceptional throughout the game, delivered a perfectly weighted ball to Federico Valverde, who calmly slotted it into the net to open the scoring in the 59th minute.

Kylian Mbappé, making his debut with Real Madrid, quickly added a second goal in the 68th minute. After a remarkable build-up orchestrated by Jude Bellingham, Mbappé fired a precise shot into the top corner from the penalty spot, showcasing impressive composure in his first official match with Los Merengues. This goal also marked the Frenchman’s first European club trophy, having previously won the UEFA Nations League in 2021 with the French national team.

The UEFA Super Cup victory is a perfect start to the season for Real Madrid, and Mbappé’s performance hints at great things to come. With their sixth title, Los Merengues continue to assert their dominance over European football, further cementing their status as icons of the sport.

Pascal Amstrong