Modric and Benzema fire Real Madrid to the Supercopa title

The first trophy of the Spanish football season

Posted Monday, January 17, 2022 by Marca.com

Real Madrid have won the first title of the 2021/22 Spanish football season, with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema goals and a Thibaut Courtois penalty save seeing them defeat Athletic Club 2-0 in Saudi Arabia to lift the Supercopa de Espana.

After overcoming Barcelona in their semi-final, Los Blancos dominated last season's Supercopa winners from start to finish at the King Fahd Stadium.

Rodrygo was given the start to replace the injured Marco Asensio and the Brazilian made the most of his opportunity. From the very first minute, he was lively and caused Mikel Balenziaga problems.

The winger teed up Benzema for a shot that flashed just wide, before, in the 37th minute, committing multiple red-and-white-shirted defenders to set up Modric for a first-time finish from the edge of the area. That was the Croatian's first goal of the season and put Real Madrid in control of the final.

Athletic Club's Oihan Sancet had a chance to equalise just before half time, with his clipped effort curling just over Courtois' crossbar. But, that was one of just a few chances for the Basque side in the entire match.

Although Marcelino sent on Thursday's match-winner Nico Williams at half time in search of a spark, it was Real Madrid who enjoyed the better start to the second half and they were soon two goals up. A Karim Benzema shot was blocked by Yeray Alvarez's arm five minutes after the restart and VAR told referee Cesar Soto Grado to check the incident. After pointing to the spot, Benzema stepped up and converted to give Los Blancos a comfortable lead.

Athletic Club really struggled to create anything and they even blew their one golden chance to make the final moments interesting. In the 87th minute, a Raul Garcia header was going in, but it struck Eder Militao's arm. Just as with the other handball call, Soto Grado checked the VAR monitor and awarded a spot kick, while also sending Militao off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

But, Courtois made his own mark on this final by saving Raul Garcia's penalty with his trailing leg, prompting a huge cheer from the majority Madridista crowd inside the King Fahd Stadium. That save kickstarted the celebrations and the final whistle followed soon afterwards, confirming Real Madrid as the winners of the 2021/22 Supercopa de Espana.