Mbappe scores on debut as Madrid overcome Atalanta to win Super Cup

Kylian Mbappe scored on his debut as Real Madrid claimed the UEFA Super Cup following a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in Warsaw.

Federico Valverde was also on target for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who lifted the trophy for a record-breaking sixth time.

Mbappe endured a quiet first half at Warsaw’s National Stadium, Isak Hien blocking his 15th-minute shot, while the woodwork denied both teams inside the opening 45 minutes.

Eder Militao deflected Marten de Roon’s cross against his own crossbar, before Rodrygo struck the bar at the other end in first-half stoppage time.

Atalanta went close within two minutes of the restart as Thibaut Courtois wonderfully palmed away Mario Pasalic’s header.

But it was Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 59th minute as Vinicius Junior accelerated away from Berat Djimsiti, before squaring for Valverde to tap into an empty net.

Juan Musso did brilliantly to deny Vinicius and Jude Bellingham, but the Atalanta goalkeeper was powerless as Los Blancos doubled their lead nine minutes later, with Bellingham threading a neat through ball for Mbappe to lift into the roof of the net.

All the build-up to this game surrounded Mbappe’s impending debut since his blockbuster move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Although he endured a generally subdued first half, it did not take him long to settle into life as a Galactico. His fine second-half strike sealed Madrid’s record-breaking sixth Super Cup triumph.

There was also history made by team-mates Carvajal and Modric, who became the first players to appear in five Super Cup wins.

Once the two-goal lead was established, the link-up play between the front four was breathtaking to watch and, if tonight is anything to go by, Los Blancos will take some stopping in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Atalanta generally held their own on their first appearance in this game, but Madrid were just too strong in the end and Italy’s wait for a first Super Cup success since 2007 goes on.

It was a close call with so many of Madrid’s star-studded line-up impressing, but Vinicius gets the nod.

The Brazilian caused problems for Djimsiti all night, and his turn of pace to leave the Atalanta defender trailing before teeing up Valverde was simply sublime.

That was one of a joint game-leading 20 passes he made in the final third, while he also registered the most dribbles (11) and was involved in the most duels (20) throughout the contest.

Real Madrid: Courtois 8, Carvajal 7, Militao 7, Rudiger 7, Mendy 7, Valverde 8, Tchouameni 7, Bellingham 8, Rodrygo 7, Mbappe 8, Vinicius 8*. Subs: Modric 6, Diaz 6, Arda Guler N/A, Vazquez N/A, Ceballos N/A.

Atalanta: Musso 8, Djimsiti 6, Hien 8, Kolasinac 6, Zappacosta 6, De Roon 7, Ederson 7, Ruggeri 6, Pasalic 7, De Ketelaere 6, Lookman 7. Subs: Retegui 6, Godfrey 6, Bakker 6, Manzoni N/A, Palestra N/A.

24′ OFF THE BAR: A quickly taken throw appears to catch Madrid off guard as De Roon advances into the box. The skipper’s cross then deflects off Militao and against the crossbar, before bouncing away to safety.

45+1′ OFF THE BAR: As we enter two additional first-half minutes, Vinicius’ attempted throughball deflects kindly for Rodrygo, who is onside. But the latter’s instinctive shot clips the top of the crossbar.

47′ GOOD SAVE: Moments after Mbappe shoots high and wide from a tight angle, Atalanta threaten down the other end. De Roon clips a ball into the box and Pasalic’s header is looping towards Courtois’ left corner, but the Madrid goalkeeper springs across well to palm away.

59′ GOAL!!! REAL MADRID 1-0 ATALANTA (VALVERDE): Madrid breakthrough just before the hour mark. Valverde scores but he owes a debt of gratitude to Vinicius, who superbly accelerated away from Djimsiti in the box, before squaring the ball for the unmarked Uruguayan to tap into an empty net.

61′ CHANCE: Madrid suddenly have their tails up and Vinicius is running in behind the defence, but Musso makes a smart reflex save to thwart him.

62′ GREAT SAVE: Madrid threaten from a corner and the ball breaks kindly for Bellingham, whose shot deflects off Hien and loops dangerously towards goal. However, Musso brilliantly manages to scramble back and claw it away.

68′ GOAL!!! REAL MADRID 2-0 ATALANTA (MBAPPE): Guess who! Mbappe marks his debut with a goal! Rodrygo robs Hien of possession and drives forward before feeding Vinicius, whose attempted cross is away from Mbappe. However, Bellingham keeps the attack alive and neatly threads the ball into the path of the France skipper, who sends a first-time shot into the top corner.

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