Spanish Super Cup: Real Madrid vs Barcelona final confirmed after Alonso’s men beat Atletico

Real Madrid booked a Spanish Super Cup final win against Barcelona after beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday, with early goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo at half-time putting the match on course for victory.

Xabi Alonso’s side face Barca in Jeddah on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s final, which the bitter rival won after the Catalans eased past Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Real Madrid scored 75 seconds into the match when captain Valverde unleashed a powerful free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak only able to get a weak touch.

Rodrygo came close to doubling the lead at the break before Atletico dug into the game, forcing Thibaut Courtois into a series of sharp saves to deny Alex Baena and Alexander Sorloth as they pushed for an equalizer.

Real extended their lead ten minutes into the second half when Rodrygo latched onto a sharp pass from Valverde, dodged his marker and calmly side-footed it past Oblak.

READ | Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 to reach the final of the Spanish Super Cup

Atletico hit back almost immediately, however, as Giuliano Simeone delivered a measured cross to the back post, where Sorloth rose above Raul Asencio to head home and reduce the deficit three minutes later.

Rodrygo almost scored his second to restore Real’s two-goal lead, only for Oblak to block his effort from close range, while Courtois denied Antoine Griezmann’s acrobatic effort and Marcos Llorente twice shot narrowly wide, preventing Atletico from advancing to penalties in the semi-finals.

Published on January 9, 2026