In a high-stakes Madrid derby played on foreign soil, Real Madrid booked their place in the Spanish Super Cup 2026 final with a tense 2-1 win over arch-rivals Atletico de Madrid. The semifinal clash unfolded on January 8, 2026, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for a classic encounter under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso.
Valverde's Rocket and Rodrygo's Finish Seal the Deal
The match could not have started better for Los Blancos. With barely two minutes on the clock, Federico Valverde stepped up to a free-kick from around 30 yards. The Uruguayan midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot that rocketed into the top corner, leaving Atletico's renowned goalkeeper Jan Oblak with no chance. This early stunner immediately put Diego Simeone's team on the back foot.
Despite the setback, Atletico dominated possession for large parts of the first half and created several clear chances. However, a combination of poor finishing and resilient Madrid defending meant they went into the break still trailing.
Real Madrid came out with more purpose after halftime and doubled their lead in the 55th minute. Valverde was involved again, providing the pass to Rodrygo. The Brazilian forward showcased superb skill, evading a defender before calmly slotting the ball past Oblak to make it 2-0. The goal exemplified Madrid's lethal efficiency in attack.
Late Drama as Sorloth Sparks Atletico Hope
Just when it seemed Real Madrid were cruising to victory, Atletico struck back. Only three minutes after Rodrygo's goal, Alexander Sorloth rose powerfully to meet a cross and headed past Thibaut Courtois. The goal ignited the match and set up a frantic finale.
Atletico pushed desperately for an equalizer, bringing on stars like Antoine Griezmann. Courtois was called into action multiple times, making crucial saves to preserve Madrid's slender lead. The Belgian goalkeeper's interventions in the dying moments were vital in ensuring his team held on for the narrow but deserved victory.
El Clasico Awaits in the Final
This hard-fought win extends Real Madrid's positive run and sends them into the Spanish Super Cup final. Their opponent will be none other than Barcelona, who delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over Athletic Club in the other semifinal. The stage is now set for a blockbuster El Clasico showdown in Jeddah, with the season's first trophy on the line.
For Atletico de Madrid, the defeat is a significant blow. With their La Liga title hopes fading, focus must now shift entirely to the Copa del Rey and their ongoing campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
