Real Madrid beats Mallorca to set up Super Cup final against Barcelona | Football news
European and LaLiga champions Real Madrid thrashed Mallorca 3-0 and will now play arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo scored for Real Madrid with a 3-0 win over Mallorca and organized the final of the Spanish Super Cup with rivals Barcelona.
Madrid have the chance to avenge their heavy Clasico defeat in LaLiga in October after Bellingham’s clinical second-half strike sent them on their way to victory in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
With strong support from the fans in Jeddah, Madrid did not look like they would relinquish the lead and a stoppage-time own goal from Martin Valjento sealed the victory for them, with Rodrygo adding a late third from close range.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for the way his side took control of the game as an attacking force in the second half. “When those forwards get fired up, anything can happen,” he said of his front three and Bellingham. “Four [forwards] they are very dangerous. That is quite evident. Everyone sees it, the quality they possess.”
Real Madrid made it an early game against last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up, with Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo Goes going close in the opening stages.
Kylian Mbappe claimed a penalty after going down under pressure from Dani Rodriguez, but it would have been lenient.
Jagoba Arrasate’s Mallorca found their footing and did well to limit the Spanish and European champions to more clear-cut chances in the first half.
Madrid lost Aurelien Tchouameni early in the second half after injuring his head in a clash with Cyle Larin, although he looked frustrated at the withdrawal.
Madrid scored in the 63rd minute through Bellingham after the post, and Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif kept Rodrygo and Mbappe.
A brilliant move from Madrid paid off when Rodrygo’s header from Vinicius Junior’s cross hit the post and Mbappe’s effort was deflected by a scrambling Greif.
Bellingham was in the right place at the right time to carefully slot the rebound past a defender on the goal line, continuing a stunning run of individual form.
The England international has scored eight goals for Madrid in his last 10 games in all competitions.
“Jude is a phenomenal player. He helps us win all the time, with goals, assists or just his work,” Bellingham’s fellow midfielder Tchouameni noted afterward, adding that he was not injured in the head collision that saw him sidelined.
Mallorca struggled to find a way back and eventually contributed to Madrid’s second goal when Valjent stretched to intercept a pass but slotted the ball into his own goal.
Rodrygo sealed the win late on to set up a repeat of last season’s final, won by Super Cup holders Madrid.
Madrid must wait for Luka Modric’s availability for Sunday’s final after the midfielder fell ill and missed Thursday’s game.
“Our player Luka Modric is out of the game against Mallorca due to a viral illness,” the Spanish champions said in a statement just a few hours before the semi-final.
Croatian midfielder Modrić (39) became Madrid’s oldest scorer when he scored against Valencia in La Liga last week.
