UEFA Super Cup
Result: Real Madrid 2-4 Atletico Madrid
Date: 15 August 2018
Venue: A. Le Coq Arena
Life after Cristiano Ronaldo has got off to a tough start for Real Madrid, as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
New Real coach Julen Lopetegui kept faith with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio to lead the attack.
Atletico wasted no time making the intentions clear, with Diego Costa finding the back of the net after just one minute with a superb finish.
Los Blancos eventually restored parity on 26 minutes as Karim Benzema nodded home Gareth Bale's cross at the far post.
Two minutes later, Marco Asensio nearly completed the turnaround but his curling effort from the edge of the box sailed inches wide of the upright.
Chances were few and far between in the remaining stages of the first half, although Lopetegui's men had shaded the possession statistics.
Ten minutes into the second half, both coaches opted for a change as Luka Modric replaced Asensio, while Atletico threw on Angel Correa for Griezmann.
Los Blancos were then awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Diego Godin was adjudged to have handled in the box. Sergio Ramos stepped up and converted the spot-kick to put his side ahead.
However, Costa brought parity to the game with 11 minutes remaining as he slotted home from close range after some good work by Correa and Juanfran.
Neither side could find a winning goal in the closing stages, forcing the clash into extra-time.
Eight minutes into the extra-time, Atletico found their go-ahead goal as Thomas Partey's cross found Saul Niguez, who rifled the ball into the top corner from just inside the box.
Atletico then made the game safe in the 103rd minute as Koke finished off a well-worked counter attack with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
