Valverde's early missile sets the stage for El Clasico in the Super Cup final
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 09.01.26. | 09:43
Real Madrid celebrate a deserved 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid in their clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
When two evenly matched armies collide, the balance is tipped by something special. A flash of brilliance. A decisive touch.
In the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, that difference was Federico Valverde.
A thunderbolt in the second minute. A surgical assist in the 55th to release Rodrygo. Two moments of class that carried Real Madrid past Atletico and into the final in Jeddah (2-1). The final everyone wanted - El Clasico.
Show me a normal Valverde goal
— V (@ValvRmfc) January 8, 2026
Mission impossible 😂 pic.twitter.com/rxv7d4IxCl
Los Colchoneros were not broken. Simeone's side fought back through Alexander Sorloth, then chased penalties deep into stoppage time. They came close, but never found the equaliser.
It would be wrong to say Atletico deserved less. Forced to attack almost from the opening whistle, they pressed relentlessly after Rodrygo's goal. Sorloth, Baena, later Griezmann and Llorente, all threatened, and in added time, even Julian Alvarez had a clear chance. It slipped away.
Atletico ran more, pressed harder, suffocated Los Blancos until the final whistle, but fell to a sharper opponent.
For Xabi Alonso, it was a landmark night: his first victory over Simeone and his first final as Real Madrid coach. Officially, the least important trophy of the season - until Barcelona appear on Sunday.
🚨 Diego Simeone to Vinicius in the first half: "You’re going to get sacked by Florentino Pérez. Remember what I’m telling you.”
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 8, 2026
In the second half, Vini got subbed off and all Real Madrid fans in the stadium were whistling at him.
Diego Simeone tells him: "Listen, listen. 🧏♂️" pic.twitter.com/dcG1zNbHAj
Valverde's right foot needed no warm-up. After 75 seconds, his free-kick from nearly 30 metres exploded into the net, lifting the crowd at King Abdullah Sports City and setting the tone.
Real Madrid were often pinned back, sometimes by choice, often by force. Barcelona's easier semi-final leaves Alonso with physical concerns, but once again, quality made the difference.
That was clear in the 54th minute: Valverde split the defence, Rodrygo burst through and finished past Jan Oblak. Three minutes later, Giuliano Simeone crossed perfectly and Sorloth beat Courtois, igniting the contest.
The final half-hour burned, but when precision was needed most, Atletico lacked it. Griezmann could not change the story.
Valverde decided it. El Clasico awaits.
SPANISH SUPER CUP - SEMI FINALS
Wednesday
Barcelona - Ath.Bilbao 5-0 (4-0)
/Torres 22, Lopez 30, Bardghji 34, Raphinha 38, 52/
Thursday
Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid 1-2 (0-1)
/Sorloth 58 - Valverde 2, Rodrygo 55/
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