HELSINKI – Goals from David Alaba and Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and a fifth UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
While Frankfurt were particularly dangerous in the first half, Madrid’s experience and individual quality helped them, as they often did in their 2021/22 Champions League winning season.
“It wasn’t an easy game, they were locked in their own half, but we managed to score and we controlled well afterwards,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar TV.
“At the start of the season, you can’t expect the team to be 100%, but we won and started the season well. I think that can help us achieve better results and that the victories motivate the players.”
It was a particularly memorable night for veteran French striker Benzema, whose goal took him to 324 for the Spanish side, one more than Raul.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals, has more goals at Real than Benzema.
“Now he’s in contention for the Ballon d’Or. Are there any doubts? No for me,” Ancelotti added.
Frankfurt enjoyed the better start as Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced into a superb save in a one-on-one encounter with Daichi Kamada in the 14th minute.
Madrid almost got first when Benzema dropped Vinicius to overtake Kevin Trapp in the box only for Tuta to clear the ball from the line.
With Madrid dominating possession, Frankfurt launched several counterattacks until Madrid launched their own counterattack in the 37th minute.
When Vinicius fired on goal, a diving Trapp came on fingertip and pushed the ball into the corner.
From the game that followed, Benzema joined Casemiro just off the right post.
The Brazilian sucked in several Frankfurt defenders and a diving Trapp before returning to an unmarked Alaba who struck from close range.
After the goal, Madrid changed gears and should have taken a 2-0 lead, with Benzema uncharacteristically swinging the ball in the 41st minute.
REAL MADRID DUO VINICIUS, BENZEMA CONNECT
Madrid’s quality became more evident in the second half when Trapp saved a deflected shot from Vinicius in the 54th minute and Casemiro hit the bar in the 61st.
Borussia Dortmund loanee Ansgar Knauff had a chance minutes later before Vinicius and Benzema gave Madrid a 2-0 lead.
Vinicius raced down the left before cutting the ball away, seemingly unseen, for the Frenchman to strike home from the edge of the box.
Frankfurt fought hard in the closing stages, but Madrid managed to dominate the game and claim their fifth Super Cup in eight attempts.
Alaba hailed his team’s determination to continue their stellar form from last season.
“We were here to win and get the next title… We want to pick up where we left off last season,” Alaba told RTL.
“It’s always nice to score goals – it doesn’t happen to me often.”
Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode has lamented his team’s inability to capitalize on their chances.
“You have to take your chances against the Champions League winners. We didn’t use ours in the crucial moments,” he told broadcaster DAZN.
The clash at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium marked the first time these two teams have met in a European qualifier since 1960, when Madrid beat Frankfurt 7-3 in the European Cup final, scoring four goals against Ferenc Puskas and three against Alfredo di Stefano.
The match also highlighted the widening divide between Champions League and Europa League competition, with Madrid becoming the ninth Champions League team to win the competition in the last 10 years.
Only city rivals Atletico Madrid have won the Super Cup in the past decade, qualifying via a Europa League win after beating Real in the 2018 edition.
- RosGwen24 News / AFP / Movistar TV / RTL / DAZN
