Super Saul steals show for Atletico
SERgIO RAMOS and Diego Costa were back to their antagonising best in the UEFA Super Cup but it was a Saul wonder goal that made sure Atletico Madrid lifted the trophy.
The Spain midfielder volleyed past Keylor Navas from Thomas Partey’s cross in extra-time to leave Diego Simeone celebrating in the main stand in Estonia’s national stadium.
Simeone has said in the past that nothing will make up for Atletico losing two Champions League finals to their bitter rivals, but this was some revenge with Real Madrid looking ragged at times, suggesting they have paid the price for not strengthening since the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ramos thought he had won the game for Real Madrid in the second half when he sent a spot-kick past Jan Oblak to make it 2-1. Ramos then celebrated in front of the incensed Atletico supporters, who pelted him with plastic bottles.
That goal came after Diego Costa had taken just 49 seconds to score the first goal of the game, leaving Ramos and Raphael Varane in his wake before firing past Navas.
The build-up to the game had been all about the possibility of Thibaut Courtois facing his old team, but the keeper was not registered in time to play. Instead it was another Chelsea old boy in Costa doing the damage.
The equaliser came when gareth Bale powered down the right past Lucas Hernandez and crossed deep for Karim Benzema to head home at the far post.
Luka Modric made an early entrance five minutes into the second half and Madrid improved to get what seemed like the winner from Ramos, but with 10 minutes left Angel Correa crossed from the right and Costa equalised.
Ramos was sloppy at the back in the first half of extra time, losing possession, and Partey crossed for Saul to bury Atletico’s third before Koke added a fourth to seal a famous win.