Real Madrid defeat city rivals Atletico on penalties to win Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia

Real manager Zinedine Zidane now boasts a flawless record in finals

Real Madrid celebrate after winning the 2020 Spanish Super Cup final against Atletico Madrid at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. AP Photo

Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and teammates celebrate after the match. AFP

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Super Cup. Reuters

Real Madrid's Isco, Federico Valverde and Alphonse Areola celebrate. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup final. EPA

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (L) receives the Cup. EPA

Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout. EPA

Real Madrid players. EPA

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves a penalty during the shootout. EPA

Atletico Madrid's Koke looks dejected as he poses in front of the trophy. Reuters

Atletico Madrid players look dejected during the penalty shootout before Real Madrid win the Super Cup. Reuters

Supporters of Real Madrid cheer during the Spanish Super Cup Final match between Atletico Madrid FC and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2020. EPA/ALI ALQARNI

Real Madrid's Luka Jovic, left, fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey during the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, January12, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

Atletico Madrid players react at the end of the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, January 13, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

From left to right, Real Madrid's Casemiro, Real Madrid's Marcelo, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid's Eder Militao and Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrate end the Spanish Super Cup Final soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at King Abdullah stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, January 12, 2020. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

A Saudi Arabian Spanish derby ended with Real Madrid joy in Jeddah.

But it took penalties to settle it: this restyled Spanish Super Cup on Sunday night drew out over a goalless 120 minutes and then was distilled simply to mind over matter.

Dani Carvalhal, Mariano, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos all converted, by then 10-man Madrid unblemished in their famous white. Atletico shuddered in the shootout. Saul and Thomas Partey went up first and failed to convert, leaving Ramos to clinch it.

Just like their penalties, Zinedine Zidane now boasts a flawless record in finals. His ninth in charge brought the Bernabeu club an 11th Super Cup crown. A crammed King Abdullah Sports City, pro-Madrid and having this week witnessed four of Spain’s finest clubs, rejoiced.

Before it all unfolded, 0-0 hardly told the tale of the tie. In the first half, Casemiro and Modric fired at Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal; at the other end, Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata fired wide.

After the interval, Luka Jovic went close, his left-footed shot scuffed somewhat before trickling past the post. Not long after, Federico Valverde conspired somehow to miss with an unmarked header from six yards.

Madrid were almost made the pay 10 minutes from time. Kieran Trippier’s clever chipped through-ball allowed Morata to advance to within yards from Courtois, but the Belgian stood strong to palm away for a corner. Eighty minutes in, it represented Atletico’s first meaningful opportunity.

Understandably, gaps appeared in extra-time, requiring Ramos to at one point pressure substitute Vitolo just as he shot at Courtois. From the resultant corner, Jose Gimenez rose highest and then held his head in his hands. His header, at the back post and not far out, was high and wide.

In the next half, Morata’s overhead kick struck Courtois’ outstretched leg and Madrid breathed a huge sigh of relief. Oblak got in on the act right after, repelling Modric’s rasping shot then pushing away Mariano’s rebound. Then Valverde saw red, hacking down Morata as he raced clear, the contest there to be won.

As a scuffle broke out and quickly diffused, Zidane and the Madrid bench toasted Valverde on his way toward the tunnel. Clearly, they knew he had taken one for the team.

Before time was done, twice Courtois saved sharply; Vitolo twice involved.

So the Super Cup came down to a test of Madrid mettle. In the ensuing shootout, Saul struck the post and Courtois saved brilliantly from Partey. Trippier offered Atletico a short reprieve – his side’s only successful conversion – and then Ramos rolled home the winner.

Madrid were Spanish Cup champions once more