Real Madrid Wins on Penalties to Reach Spanish Super Cup Final
Real Madrid advanced to the final of the Spanish Super Cup after a shootout victory over Valencia. The deadlock was broken by Karim Benzema, who converted from the spot early in the match at King Fahd Stadium. Samu Lino equalised for Valencia shortly after the restart, and the score remained level for the remainder of regular time as the teams prepared for a decisive penalty sequence. The Whites claimed the win as Valencia failed to convert two penalties, sealing Madrid’s progress around 1:00 on local time. [Source: match report attribution]
Brief Match Atmosphere
The semi-final began with Real Madrid in control inside the King Fahd Stadium, which hosted the tournament’s final setup. Local fans greeted Valencia with whistles as the players arrived for warm-ups, while Madrid supporters cheered Ancelotti’s side. Benzema, a fan favorite, led the line as Madrid looked to impose their rhythm from the outset. The tactical plan reflected the coach’s experience, prioritising possession and an efficient press, especially when Madrid retrieved the ball high up the pitch.
During the early exchanges, the Italian coach made four changes from the last league outing, which had ended in a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal. Notably, Alaba and Tchouaméni missed the trip to Arabia because of soleus injuries. Carvajal and Mendy started on the bench, with Lucas Vazquez and Nacho stepping in, while Modric entered the fray in the second half to refresh the midfield. Valencia’s head coach Gennaro Gattuso adjusted his approach as well, fielding Yunus Musah and André Almeida in central roles and deploying Samu Lino as the playmaker behind Kluivert with Lato and Cavani on the flanks. [Source: match report attribution]
On-Field Action and Key Moments
The stadium’s atmosphere crescendoed as the match progressed. Madrid’s pace and intensity helped lift the decibel levels, creating a stadium-wide buzz that echoed past legends of the competition. Benzema broke the stalemate with a composed finish on the left after a patient buildup, and the effort was mirrored by Valverde’s early attempts—both players tested the framework of Mamardashvili. Valencia answered with aggressive wing play and dangerous crosses, keeping Madrid alert and the fans engaged in a high-stakes duel. The halftime whistle left the game finely poised, with Madrid seeking to translate control into a decisive edge.
Madrid’s captain demonstrated calm as the game reached its critical phase. A long ball from Militao found Benzema in a favorable position, and the French striker was pulled down by Cömert just as he prepared to shoot, earning Madrid a penalty. Benzema coolly converted, sending the keeper the wrong way, and signaling a classic Madrid resurgence. The crowd roared as the Spanish champions asserted their experience in knockout football. [Source: match report attribution]
Turn in the Tie and Injuries
Barely 22 seconds into the restart, Valencia restored parity through Lato, whose cross found Lino to finish decisively past Courtois. Madrid briefly shifted to a more pragmatic approach, with Modric replacing Camavinga at halftime to reinforce the midfield, as injuries began to mount for the Madrid squad. Lucas Vazquez and Militao left the pitch with knee injuries, prompting defensive reshuffles that tested Madrid’s depth. Carvajal and Mendy re-entered proceedings without a full run of training with the group, while Samu Lino also carried some discomfort. Despite these setbacks, Vinicius Jr. kept his boots ready to extend the match, though Mamardashvili produced a key intervention that postponed the conclusion to extra time. [Source: match report attribution]
Valencia’s challenge intensified as the match moved into the late stages. The contest evolved into a tightly fought affair, with both sides probing for a winner, but neither side could produce the breakthrough in regular time. The drama shifted to the penalties, where Madrid held the upper hand thanks to successful attempts from Benzema, Modric, Kroos, and Asensio. Valencia could not capitalise in the decisive moments, with Generous and Gayà missing their spots, allowing Real Madrid to advance to the final. Madrid now eyes a potential clash for the title against either Barça or Betis, scheduled for Sunday evening local time. [Source: match report attribution]
In the end, the shootout proved decisive, and Real Madrid earned their place in the 17th final of the competition, celebrating a victory built on resilience and experience. The match underscored Madrid’s continued capability to seize opportunities and execute in high-pressure moments, a hallmark of their recent trophy runs. [Source: match report attribution]