Atlético 1-2 Real Madrid: Whites win the derby and secure the Clásico in the Super Cup

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will define the champion of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup next Sunday in Jeddah (8:00 PM). This Thursday, the 'White House' eliminated Atlético de Madrid (1-2) with suffering and uninspired, but effective play despite the absence due to injury of Kylian Mbappé.

Xabi Alonso repeated his XI from the thrashing of Betis (5-1), while Diego Simeone surprised with the presence of Marc Pubill as a center-back and the Englishman Connor Gallagher in midfield. A spectacular goal from Fede Valverde from a free kick put the whites ahead before the minute mark.

Later, **Rodrygo** extended the 'Merengue' lead, although **Alexander Sorloth** pulled one back for the 'Colchoneros'. In the end, the 1-2 was enough for Real to avenge the 'manita' suffered against Atlético in September (5-2) and secure the fourth consecutive Clásico in the Super Cup final. Barça arrives as the clear favorite for the final, after crushing Athletic in the 'semis' (5-0)

Fede Valverde's missile beat Atlético early

In Real's first approach into the rival's half, Fede Valverde took advantage of a foul near the edge of the box to open the scoring. Jan Oblak was overconfident, placing three men in the wall due to the long distance, but the Uruguayan surprised the Slovenian with a very powerful shot that went into the top corner.

Madrid managed the lead without major scares in the initial quarter of an hour. Atlético struggled to absorb the early blow and only in the 20th minute did a high shot from Sorloth activate the 'rojiblanco' attack. Julián Álvarez was also not sharp in the 27th minute, culminating a good collective move with Baena with a deflected shot

From there, the match became much more open. Rodrygo hit Oblak with a shot in a one-on-one after a good pass from Valverde. Courtois appeared shortly after with two meritorious saves against Baena and Sorloth, but the 1-0 remained intact until halftime.

Rodrygo and Sorloth ignited the derby in the second half

Koke celebrating Sorloth's goal in the second half

Simeone moved the bench at halftime with the entry of Robin Le Normand for Connor Gallagher. However, Real Madrid once again hurt the 'Aleti' defense in the 52nd minute, with **a through ball from Valverde to Rodrygo**, who left the 'colchoneros' center-backs trailing with a very quick touch and, this time, did not miss against Oblak alone in front of goal

Atlético reacted quickly five minutes later with a header from Sorloth, easily anticipating Asencio to finish a cross from Giuliano Simeone on the left. After the goal, Griezmann and Jonnhy Cardoso came on for the 'rojiblancos', while Xabi Alonso tweaked his defense with Fran García and Ferland Mendy in place of Asencio and Rüdiger, the latter being treated with cotton wool.

Fourth consecutive Clásico in the Super Cup final

Rodrygo came very close to a third in the 79th minute with a shot deflected by Oblak with his foot, while Atleti came close to an equalizer with a shot from **Marcos Llorente** from the edge of the box after a set play.

In the final minutes, Güler, Mastantuono, and Ceballos came on for Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Camavinga, respectively. Vini had another rather lackluster game, with no offensive contributions, and has now gone 95 consecutive days without scoring.

Julián had a clear chance in stoppage time to send the match to a penalty shootout, but he struck a great pass from Thiago Almada weakly and wide. 'El Araña' is clearly going through his worst slump with AtletiThis way, Madrid, without **Kylian Mbappé (injured)** and with a missing **Gonzalo García**, eliminated Atlético and, for the fourth consecutive year, will face Barça in the Super Cup final

Xabi Alonso will play for his job next Sunday, as a defeat will result in a dismissal that has been brewing for just over a month. Hansi Flick is going for his fourth title with the Catalans, who have dominated Spanish competitions with an iron fist since his arrival. In 2025, the Catalans handed the Whites a 'handful' (2-5).

Match Report: Atlético de Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid

• Atlético de Madrid, 1: Oblak; Ruggeri (Molina, min. 80), Hancko, Marc Pubill, Llorente; Koke (Cardoso, min. 60), Gallagher (Le Normand, min. 46), Giuliano Simeone, Álex Baena (Griezmann, min. 60); Sorloth (Almada, min. 75) and Julián Álvarez.
• Real Madrid, 2: Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger (Fran García, min. 70), Asensio (Mendy, min. 70), Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga (Ceballos, min. 87), Bellingham; Rodrygo (Mastantuono, min. 87), Vinicius (Arda Güler, min. 81) and Gonzalo.
• Goals: 0-1, Fede Valverde (min. 2); 0-2, Rodrygo Goes (min. 55); 1-2, Alexander Sorloth (min. 58).
• Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer. He cautioned Vinicius Jr. for Real Madrid.
• Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
• Incidents: match corresponding to the semifinal of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup.