Super Real lift European Cup
Skopje, Aug. 9: Real Madrid beat Manchester United 2-1 on Tuesday to lift the European Super Cup for the fourth time as they became the first team to retain the trophy since AC Milan in 1990.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro struck the opener with a left-foot strike midway through the first half while Spain midfielder Isco consolidated Real’s advantage with a slick finish in the 52nd minute at the National Arena in Skopje, Macedonia.
United’s new striker Romelu Lukaku got his first competitive goal for the club to reduce the deficit just past the hour with a simple finish on the rebound in the annual showdown between the European champions and Europa League holders.
That sparked a brief period of pressure from Jose Mourinho’s United side and they could have drawn level when Marcus Rashford burst through but he was denied by Keylor Navas’ save, ensuring Real won their fifth international trophy under Zinedine Zidane.
Mourinho’s admission before the game that Real had much more quality than his side was confirmed as the Champions League winners monopolised possession and nearly took an early lead when Gareth Bale sent an instinctive shot narrowly over the bar.
Defensive midfielder Casemiro then crashed a diving header against the bar before meeting Dani Carvajal’s perfectly weighted cross on the half-volley to add to his goal in the Champions League final win over Juventus.
Europa League holders United barely mustered an