Real Madrid have beaten Sevilla 2-0 to win the European Super Cup thanks to goals either side of half-time from Cristiano Ronaldo.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos were making their debuts for Los Blancos, whilst Ronaldo was deemed fit enough as the Champions League winners took on their Europa League counterparts in Cardiff.
Gregorz Krychowiak and Denis Suarez were making their first appearances in the famous red shirt, and it was Unai Emery’s men who started the brighter, winning a corner inside two minutes. Aleix Vidal though, couldn’t make the most of the opportunity.
The opening exchanges were a disjointed affair as a lack of match sharpness clearly showed from both sides. Passes were misplaced and runs weren’t quite picked out, and it took until nine minutes for the capital club to have a shot on target, as Ronaldo scuffed one from long-range.
Carlo Ancelotti’s outfut eventually started to show their class however, and were soon peppering Beto’s goal with shots. Ronaldo had a free kick dip onto the roof of the net, whilst Gareth Bale saw a pair of efforts deflect just wide.
It wasn’t all Madrid though, as Vitolo forced Iker Casillas into a smart save at his near post on 20 minutes, but the Santiago Bernabeu outfit were clearly dominant in possession.
And they made that pay on the half hour mark. A delightful cross from Bale on the left-hand side found Ronaldo at the far post, and the Ballon d’Or winner was there to tap in for the opening goal of the game.
After the break, it didn’t take long for Ronaldo get his second as the Portugal international drifted to the left-hand side and blasted an effort across Beto and into the back of the net.
Los Merengues were in full-flow now and seemed to have blown off all the cobwebs of the summer. Kroos was coming into his own – spraying the ball and dictating the play from the base of the midfield. James meanwhile, was struggling to assert himself in the No.10 role.
That didn’t seem to matter though as Madrid were in sumptuous form going into the latter stages. The men in white looked like they could score at every possible opportunity, but their swift breakaway couldn’t force another goal as they ran out comfortable winners.
Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla
Scorers: Ronaldo 30, 49 (RM)
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao (Marcelo 84); Modric (Illarra 86), Kroos, James (Isco 72), Bale, Cristiano, Benzema
Sevilla: Beto, Fazio, Fernando Navarro, Pareja, Coke, Krychowiak, Carriço, Suárez (Reyes 79),Vitolo, Parreu (Aspas 66), Bacca
