Mbappe scores and Real wins the cup
VICTORY ON DEBUT:
Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham were the standout players as Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid overwhelmed Atalanta BC after a level first half.
Kylian Mbappe scored on his debut for Real Madrid and won a trophy on Wednesday.
The captain of the French national team put on the white shirt of the Spanish champions for the first time in a competitive match and crowned the occasion by scoring the second goal in the team’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta BC in the UEFA Super Cup.
Mbappe, who started at the National Stadium in Warsaw and played 82 minutes, fired a pass from Jude Bellingham from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner in the 68th minute.
Photo: EPA-EFE
After crossing his arms in celebration, he was congratulated by Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, the other members of Madrid’s star-studded attacking team that has the potential to make waves in European football next season.
Federico Valverde slotted home a cross from Vinicius in the 59th minute to put Madrid on the way to its sixth victory in the Super Cup, the annual duel between the winners of the UEFA Champions League (Madrid) and the winners of the UEFA Europa League (Atalanta).
Madrid are used to breaking records – no team has won more UEFA European Cup titles than their own 15 – and have the best players in the world.
Photo: Reuters
Mbappe undoubtedly falls into that category and has had a strong start to life at the best football club in the world, the one he wanted to play for since he was a child.
Now Madrid’s No. 9, he started the Super Cup as the team’s centre-forward – with moderate success – before moving to the outside in the second half.
However, Vinicius and Bellingham, the stars of Madrid’s run to the Champions League and La Liga titles last season, were the match’s standout players as Carlo Ancelotti’s side finally beat Atalanta after an even first half in which both sides hit the crossbar.
Madrid defender Eder Militao deflected a cross onto his own crossbar before Rodrygo fired a shot that hit the top of the bar just before half-time.
Mbappe delighted the crowd with some tricks and turns, but was unable to make much of an impression in the first half.
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