Isco helps Real win Super Cup
SKOPJE: A delightful goal by Isco proved the difference as Real Madrid survived a Manchester United fightback to win 2-1 and lift the UEFA Super Cup in the Macedonian capital Skopje.
Casemiro put the reigning European champions in front on 24 minutes and Isco doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half after a one-two with Gareth Bale.
The gulf in class between Madrid — for whom Cristiano Ronaldo appeared as a late substitute — and Europa League winners United that Jose Mourinho had feared was all too evident and it looked like the Spaniards would go on to win by a wider margin.
But Romelu Lukaku pulled one back just past the hour, marking his competitive debut for United with a goal.
Zinedine Zidane’s side won this trophy for the second year running and the fourth time overall. “It is all down to hard work. We know there is a lot of talent in this team and there is so much hunger too, they always want more,” said Zidane after lifting more silverware.
Despite the presence of £75 million signing Lukaku up front, with Paul Pogba behind, United often gave the impression that they could do with some extra inspiration in the final third.
The breakthrough came just past the midway point in the first half as Dani Carvajal was afforded the time to flight a ball over Victor Lindelof -- another United debutant -- for Casemiro to stretch and volley past David de Gea. Mourinho sent on Marcus Rashford for Jesse Lingard at the start of the second half, yet the chances kept coming for Real.
De Gea repelled a Kroos piledriver but couldn’t stop Isco. Surrounded by red shirts just inside the area, Isco escaped their attentions by playing a one-two with Bale before coolly finishing past De Gea.