Mandzukic goal clinches Supercopa for Atletico

Posted Saturday, August 23, 2014 by Foxsports.com

Mario Mandzukic's early goal saw Atletico Madrid claim the Spanish Supercopa at the expense of arch rivals Real Madrid on Friday night.

Summer signing Mandzukic struck the only goal of the second leg after just 81 seconds to give Primera Division champions Atletico a 2-1 aggregate victory over Copa del Rey winners Real at the Vicente Calderon.

In a typically hard-fought derby, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was sent to the stands in the first half - having also been sent off in his side's Champions League final loss to Real in May - while the visitors lost midfielder Luka Modric to a red card in stoppage time.

The result means Atletico lift the Supercopa for the first time since 1985 and is the latest in an increasingly impressive list of silverware won under Simeone, who has also guided the Rojiblancos to the Europa League, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup crowns during his three years in charge.

The tie was ultimately decided by Mandzukic's strike inside the opening two minutes.

The Croatia international, who has the tough job of replacing Diego Costa in the Atletico attack, raced on to a flicked header from fellow new boy Antoine Griezmann before lashing a low shot past Iker Casillas from the edge of the area.

Real tried to fight back and one of their own close-season acquisitions James Rodriguez twice went close either side of an agitated Simeone's dismissal on the half-hour.

Gareth Bale also flashed a shot just wide for Real before Raul Garcia missed a great chance to head Atletico into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Garcia went even closer at the start of the second half, seeing his volley hit the crossbar.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti had introduced Cristiano Ronaldo at the break but even the Portugal superstar could not get his side back into the game as Atletico held firm.

Real finished the match with 10 men when Modric was shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Cristian Rodriguez, but it did little to change the outcome of the game.