The Sun
REAL MADRID were winners on penalties over rivals Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Federico Valverde was the key man for Los Blancos as he cynically scythed down Alvaro Morata with five minutes left to pick up a red card but, crucially, keep the scores level.
In a competition that is normally played by the Spanish league and cup winners, Real Madrid overcame Atleti in a battle between two teams who were trophyless last season.
Why are there four teams in Spanish Super Cup?
Up until now, the Spanish Super Cup – or Supercopa de Espana in its native tongue – was contested between two teams.
Barcelona are the current reigning champions, having extended their record to win a 13th title by beating Sevilla in Morocco last season.
This was also the first time it had been a single-legged affair and based outside of Spain, with the two participants traditionally playing home and away fixtures.
But the new format has been seen as a money-making deal, with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) receiving 120million euros (£102m) over three years to host the competition at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The previous format would also have seen Barcelona face cup winners Valencia in the final, while the new format means Real Madrid’s marketable Galacticos will still participate.
With the tournament being spread out over several days, and the searing heat of the Saudi summer, the Spanish Super Cup has also been moved to January – as opposed to its previous dates in August.
The move has been heavily criticised by La Liga president Javier Tebas and Spanish TV broadcasters RTVE for their decision to host the match in Saudi Arabia due to the conutry’s human rights record, in particular surrounding women.
But RFEF president Luis Rubiales insists women would be able to attend the matches without restriction.
