Real Madrid secured their place in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final, holding off a late surge from city rivals Atletico Madrid to win 2-1 in Jeddah. Xabi Alonso’s side took an early lead through a thunderous Federico Valverde free-kick and doubled the advantage in the second half through Rodrygo. While Alexander Sorloth’s header set up a nervous finale at the King Abdullah Sports City, Real Madrid held firm to book a repeat of last year’s final against Barcelona.
The match ignited just 77 seconds in when Federico Valverde, captaining the side in the absence of Dani Carvajal, struck a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak managed a touch, but the power of the strike; reportedly clocked at 108 km/h, was enough to send it into the net.
"It was a good day to score again," Valverde told Movistar+ after the game. "But we have to be self-critical. They played better than us for long periods. We are a great team, but we have to know how to suffer and stay together."
Atletico responded well to the early setback, creating several clear opportunities through Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena. However, Thibaut Courtois produced a series of world-class saves, including a diving reflex stop to deny Sorloth’s goalward header.
Real Madrid punished Atletico’s profligacy 10 minutes into the second half when Rodrygo latched onto a defense-splitting pass from Valverde, skipped past Robin Le Normand, and calmly slotted the ball past Oblak.
The two-goal cushion lasted only three minutes as Sørloth finally found the mark, towering over the Raul Asencio to head home a Guiliano Simeone cross at the back post. The goal sparked an intense final half-hour where Atletico pressed for an equalizer, with Antoine Griezmann’s acrobatic overhead kick rebuffed by Courtois and Julian Alvarez missing a late opportunity in stoppage time.
Tensions flared in the 80th minute when a disagreement between the benches led to yellow cards for both Vinicius Jr. and Diego Simeone.
Real Madrid will now face Barcelona in the final this Sunday, January 11, back in Jeddah. The fixture provides Xabi Alonso’s side a chance for redemption after last year’s 5-2 defeat at the same stage. "We are really looking forward to revenge," Valverde had added. "It’s an honour to compete in another final, and we have to be prepared to win."
