Defending champions Real Madrid are again in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. The reigning champions defeated FC Valencia 4-3 on penalties in the first semi-final at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening and will meet either FC Barcelona or Cup winners Betis Sevilla in the final on Sunday. After 120 minutes it was 1-1 (1-1, 1-0).
The Royals, in which German international Antonio Rüdiger and 2014 world champion Toni Kroos played through, took the lead with a converted penalty kick from their star striker Karim Benzema (39th).
However, just 21 seconds into the second half, Samuel Lino (46′) equalized for Valencia and the result went to penalties after 120 minutes.
There, Valencia’s Eray Cömert shot over the goal and Thibaut Courtois also saved against Gaya. All four shooters scored at Real, including Kroos.
The Spanish Supercup will be held in Saudi Arabia for the third time after the 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons. In January 2021 the tournament returned to Spain temporarily due to the corona pandemic.
In addition to the champion and the runner-up, the two cup finalists, Valencia and Betis, are there this year. The format expanded to four teams competing in a mini-tournament when the Kingdom moved to 2019.
