Ronaldo scores 2 goals as Real Madrid wins the Super Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged new team-mates Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez and homecoming hero Gareth Bale as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 in Cardiff on Wednesday morning (Aug 13) to win the UEFA Super Cup.
World Cup stars Kroos and Rodriguez were making their Madrid debuts, while Bale was returning to his hometown, but it was Ronaldo, characteristically, who hogged the spotlight with a brace in the Welsh capital.
Debutants, James Rodriguez (Left) and Toni Kroos (Right). Photos: AFP
The Portugal captain claimed a 30th-minute opener from Bale’s cross.
He then slammed home a second goal shortly after half-time to earn the European champions what could be the first of six trophies this season.
“We knew this would be a complex game, but we played well and created goal-scoring opportunities,” said Ronaldo, who was named man of the match by his former Manchester United mentor Alex Ferguson.
On Kroos and Rodriguez, Ronaldo added: “These are two crucial players for us. They played well and they helped the team win this important trophy.”
While 80-million-euro (S$133.7 million) new recruit Rodriguez had a modest debut, Madrid’s new-look attack – which cost roughly 310 million euros to assemble – showed ominous flashes of quality.
Victory gave Madrid only their second Super Cup, after a maiden triumph in 2002, and enabled Carlo Ancelotti’s side to avenge a costly 2-1 loss at the hands of Europa League winners Sevilla in La Liga last season.
Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno was omitted from his side’s match-day squad amid reports he is on the verge of joining Liverpool.
Source: AFP, YouTube
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now