Real Madrid’s journey without Cristiano Ronaldo was not lucky enough to earn a victory in UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday where they were bitten by their rival Atletico Madrid.
Two goals from Diego Costa helped Atletico Madrid on the way to Uefa Super Cup glory against city rivals Real Madrid in a thrilling 4-2 victory in Tallinn.
Despite that strong start from Diego Simeone’s Atletico, Real rallied without their former talisman Cristiano Ronaldo as Gareth Bale whipped over a superb cross for Karim Benzema to head home 27 minutes into the contest.
Atletico’s victory over its crosstown rival had added significance after it lost two Champions League finals to Madrid in 2014 and 2016. Diego Simeone’s team was also eliminated by Madrid in the 2017 semifinals.
Having not signed a replacement for Ronaldo, Lopetegui opted to select Gareth Bale in a three-pronged attack with Benzema and Marco Asensio. Bale, who scored the match-winning goals in May’s Champions League final as a substitute, burst down the right past Lucas Hernández and delivered a perfect cross for Benzema to head past Jan Oblak at the far post.
The loss leaves new Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui still having to prove that there is life after Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals in 438 matches before joining Juventus this summer and helped lead the club to three straight Champions League titles.
With penalty duties up for grabs with Ronaldo long gone, Ramos stepped up and coolly slotted past Jan Oblak before celebrating in style – first with a Ronaldo-esque jump before a Conor McGregor-like strut.
> Shatabdi Sarker Poushi
UEFA Super Cup: Real Madrid’s Life Without CR7 Begin with Defeat
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