David Alaba and Karim Benzema scored in each half as Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in Finland to win the UEFA Super Cup for a record-equalling fifth time.
The winners of last season’s Champions League and Europa League faced off at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki where semi-automated offside technology was making its first appearance in European competition.
Despite Thibaut Courtois being called into action several times in the first half, Real controlled the majority of possession and went ahead eight minutes before the break when David Alaba tapped into an empty net (37) after Casemiro had headed the ball back across goal from a tight angle.
Frankfurt continued to show promise after the break but lacked purpose in the final third and it was the La Liga champions who looked the most likely to score the game’s second goal.
Casemiro struck the bar with a powerful left-footed drive on the hour mark before Benzema doubled Real’s lead when he connected with a Vinicius Junior cross to beat Kevin Trapp from just inside the area (65).
Alaba celebrates with Benzema and Toni Kroos after putting Real Madrid in front
Benzema’s strike sees him become Real’s outright second-highest goalscorer of all time (324), ahead of Raul (323) but behind Cristiano Ronaldo (450).
Real join AC Milan and rivals Barcelona in winning the Super Cup for a joint-record fifth time (2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022), while boss Carlo Ancelotti becomes the most successful manager in the competition’s history with four titles (2003, 2007, 2014, 2022).
As for Frankfurt, their poor start to the season continues after they were thrashed 6-1 by Bayern Munich in their opening Bundesliga match last week.
What’s next?
Real Madrid begin the defence of their La Liga title when they travel to Almeria on Sunday; kick-off 9pm. Up next for Eintracht Frankfurt is a trip to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday; kick-off 2.30pm.
Credit : Source link
