Mario Mandzukic fires Atletico
Madrid to Supercopa victory over
Real Madrid
Mario Mandzukic fired Atletico Madrid to a
1-0 (2-1 agg) win over city rivals Real Madrid
to lift the Supercopa de Espana.
Raul Garcia's last-gasp goal at the Santiago Bernabeu
on Tuesday had put Atletico into a strong position,
though they required a first home win over Real
since June 1999 to secure the first trophy of Spain's
season.
The home side got off to a dream start at the Vicente
Calderon on Friday, with Mandzukic opening his
account for the club with the Supercopa's quickest
ever goal, coming just 81 seconds into the contest.
A typically ill-tempered clash saw a raging Diego
Simeone dismissed from the touchline only 26
minutes in.
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared despite picking up an
injury in the first leg, but the Portuguese's presence
could not inspire Real back into the match, and Luka
Modric's late sending off summed up their
frustrations.
For Atletico, the triumph brings the fifth trophy of
Simeone's reign and makes up for last season's
Supercopa loss to Barcelona.
With Ronaldo fit enough only for the bench, the
absence of Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira from
Ancelotti's squad was noteworthy as both midfielders
itch for a move before the transfer window slams
shut.
Atletico paired pre-season signings Antoine
Griezmann and Mandzukic in attack for the first time.
And the partnership reaped instant reward just 81
seconds in as the Frenchman pounced on slack Sergio
Ramos marking to give Mandzukic the simple task of
beating Iker Casillas one-on-one.
A scrappy response was interjected by clashes
between players, as Simeone simmered on the
sidelines.
Miguel Angel Moya superbly denied James Rodriguez
23 minutes in low to his right after fine work on the
edge of the area from Daniel Carvajal.
Eventually, the Argentinian boss boiled over as Fabio
Coentrao's trailing leg caught Juanfran in the face
and Simeone marched to the stands whipping the
home fans into a frenzy after being ejected by
referee David Fernandez.
Simeone's departure perhaps affected Atletico and
Real looked more likely to score afterwards,
however, Gareth Bale and Rodriguez could not direct
late efforts on target as the hosts made it to the
break ahead.
Ronaldo emerged from the bench at half-time, but
Atletico went close early on in the second half as
Garcia's flick bounced onto the goalline and was
eventually scrambled clear.
Garcia again curled wide, though Ronaldo began to
come to life around the hour mark, blasting a 30-
yarder down Moya's throat.
As the Portuguese and Bale saw vociferous penalty
appeals waved away, Real grew frustrated and
Atletico sensed the chance to pick them off.
First Koke launched a swerving effort inches over
Casillas' crossbar, before Griezmann dragged across
goal after a rapid breakaway.
A Real onslaught failed to materialise as poor
touches from Bale and Ronaldo in the final third saw
late openings fizzle into nothing and Modric was
dismissed after a late challenge on substitute Cristian
Rodriguez.
And Atletico held on for an impressive victory,
starting the season in supreme fashion as they look
to prove last season's title win was no fluke.
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