Wonder goals give Atletico major boost for start of season

ATLETICO MADRID 4 REAL MADRID 2 AFTER EXTRA TIME

ATLETICO MADRID finally got their own back on Real Madrid in European competition by snatching a 4-2 win over their city rivals last night to lift the UEFA Super Cup for a third time after midfielders Saul Niguez and Koke struck in extra-time.

Diego Costa gave Europa League holders Atletico a dream start against Champions League winners Real by firing them ahead after 49 seconds, knocking down a long pass and smashing the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Real, who beat Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and knocked them out of the competition in 2015 and 2017, levelled when Karim Benzema leapt at the far post to nod in a superb cross from Gareth Bale in the 27th minute.

Real looked set to pour more pain on their neighbours when Juanfran handled in the area and Sergio Ramos calmly tucked the spot-kick away, but a thumping close-range finish from Costa levelled matters once more and Atletico were then ruthless in extra-time.

Saul punished Raphael Varane’s mistake by scoring with a stunning volley to put Atletico ahead again in the 98th minute and fellow academy graduate Koke sealed the victory for Diego Simeone’s side six minutes later.

The result ensured Julen Lopetegui will begin his tenure at Real Madrid on the back-foot on a night when they clearly missed the firepower and clinical finishing of the recentlydeparted Cristiano Ronaldo.

• WILFRIED ZAHA has committed his future to Crystal Palace by signing a new five-year contract without a release clause. The deal makes the 25-year-old the highest-paid player at Palace, on £130,000 (€145,000) a week, and brings to an end the speculation linking him with a move away from Selhurst Park.