Real Madrid beat Mallorca to reach Super Cup final against Barcelona Football News

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European and La Liga champions Real Madrid beat Mallorca 3-0 and will face arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo battled to win Real Madrid A 3-0 win over Mallorca and organized the final match of the Spanish Super Cup with the rivals “Barcelona”.

Madrid have the chance to avenge October’s heavy Clasico defeat in La Liga after Bellingham’s clinical second-half strike led them to victory in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Strongly supported by the fans in Jeddah, Madrid never looked like relinquishing the lead and an own goal stopped by Martin Valgent sealed victory, with Rodrygo adding a third from close range.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his side’s attacking force in the second half, when they took control of the match. “Anything can happen when those up front are activated,” he said of the three forwards and Bellingham. “The four (strikers) are very dangerous. This is pretty obvious. Everyone can see that, the quality he has.”

Real Madrid made an early run against last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up with Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo Goes in the early stages.

Kylian Mbappe appealed for a penalty after going down under pressure from Dani Rodriguez, but it would have been lenient.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 09: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final match between Real Madrid and RCD Mallorca at King Abdullah Sports City on January 09, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yaser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe has had a difficult start at Real Madrid since joining from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Jagoba Arrasate’s Mallorca team found their footing and did well to limit the Spanish and European champions to more clear-cut chances in the first half.

Madrid lost Aurelien Tchouamen after injuring his head in a tackle on Cyle Larin early in the second half, although they were disappointed to withdraw.

Madrid opened the scoring against Bellingham in the 63rd minute, with Mallorca goalkeeper Dominic Greif keeping out Rodrigo and Mbappe.

Madrid’s flurry of action paid off when Rodrygo’s header from Vinicius Junior’s cross hit the post and Mbappe’s effort was saved by a scrambling Greif.

Bellingham was in the right place at the right time to carefully slot home past defenders on the goal line, continuing his impressive run of individual form.

Soccer Soccer - Spanish Super Cup - Semi Final - Real Madrid v RCD Mallorca - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 9, 2025 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham scores the first goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Jude Bellingham, right, was a standout performer as Real Madrid lifted the domestic and European double last season (Pedro Nunes/Reuters)

The member of the England national team has scored 8 goals in the last 10 games for Madrid in all competitions.

“Jude is a phenomenal player. He always helps us win games with goals, assists or just his work,” fellow Bellingham midfielder Tchouameni noted later, adding that he was unharmed in the head collision that saw him sent off.

Mallorca fought back and contributed to Madrid’s second goal when Valjent stretched out to intercept a pass but slid the ball into his own net.

Rodrigo scored a late winner to set up a repeat of last season’s final, won by Super Cup holders Madrid.

Madrid will have to wait for Luka Modric to feature in Sunday’s final after the midfielder fell ill and missed Thursday’s match.

“Our player Luka Modric was out of the match against Mallorca due to a virus,” the Spanish champions said just hours before the semi-final.

Croatian midfielder Modric, 39, became Madrid’s oldest goalscorer when he scored against Valencia in La Liga last week.

 
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