Real Madrid is the first Spanish Super Cup finalist, beating Valencia on penalties

From 2020, the semi-final and final matches of the Spanish Super Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, Real Madrid and Valencia clashed in the first semi-final. In the end, the White Ballet players were the luckier ones, advancing on penalties.

The Madrid club had the better of the game at first. But Benzema’s first cross didn’t end with a shot on target. Then Courtois in the Real goal also had to defend when Cavani headed awkwardly at him.

The first half gradually evened out. Valencia were creating interesting chances. In particular, right-back Toni Lato threatened, trying in vain to film a penalty after alleged contact with goalkeeper Courtois.

In the end, however, Real were the first to score. In the 39th minute, Benzema ran onto a beautiful long pass from Milito and was very unwisely fouled in the whitewash by defender Cömert. The subsequent penalty was safely converted by the fouled player himself – 1: 0. It was his 16th goal in 26 games against this club.

Valencia, however, prepared a perfect response at the start of the second half. Already in the 46th minute, a long Lata cross reached the back post of the Real goal, where Lino finished from very close range – 1::1.

But from then on, the match lost its momentum. Real’s players gave a professorial impression and Valencia had no significant work to do. A rare attack in the fifth minute of stoppage time could have decided the game for Vinícius, who found himself alone in front of the Valencia goalkeeper.

But Mamardashvili ran out in time and the match went into extra time. Real were back to full strength and Valencia were struggling to defend. But the great Georgian Mamardashvili held them back.

In the penalty shootout, Swiss stopper Cömert proved to be the biggest loser of the match, missing his penalty kick in the second series. Real’s shooters were unerring and after Gaia was saved by Courtois, the White Ballet could celebrate their progress to the final.

There they will face the winner of the match between Betis and Barcelona, which starts today at 20:00. You can watch the match on Nova Sport 3 or Sport1.

Sources: Supercopa de Espaňa,