Jude Bellingham led Real Madrid to a decisive 3-0 victory over Mallorca, securing a spot in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The English midfielder, who was Madrid’s top scorer last season, has found his rhythm, scoring seven times in his last eight league appearances. In the Super Cup semifinal, he broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on a rebound after Rodrygo hit the post and a subsequent effort from Kylian Mbappé was blocked by Mallorca’s goalkeeper, Dominik Greif. Bellingham’s goal came from just outside the six-yard box, slipping past Greif and multiple defenders.
Real Madrid sealed the win with two goals in stoppage time. The first was an own goal by Mallorca’s Martin Valjent, who inadvertently redirected a pass by Brahim Díaz into his own net. Rodrygo added the third, ensuring a comprehensive victory for Madrid. The match ended on a tense note with a brief scuffle involving Bellingham and Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo, who had a heated contest with Vinícius Júnior throughout the game.
Madrid faces arch-rivals Barcelona in Sunday’s final. The match also saw Madrid lose Aurélien Tchouaméni, playing as a central defender, to a head injury in the 54th minute. Youth player Raúl Asencio replaced him on the field.
Once considered a minor trophy, the Spanish Super Cup has gained significant importance since 2019 due to a lucrative hosting deal in Saudi Arabia. Real Madrid’s midfield strength was evident, even in the absence of former striker Karim Benzema, who was present in the stands, now playing in the Saudi Arabian league. Competing as last season’s Spanish league champion, Madrid showcased its prowess against the Copa del Rey runner-up, Mallorca, setting the stage for an epic final against Barcelona.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/01/11/real-set-up-clasico-super-cup-final/
Category : SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-01-11 03:55:00
