Real Madrid will play the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) against FC Barcelona, ??after beating Atletico de Madrid 1-2 in the semifinals Madrid. Real Madrid struck early with a stunning goal from Fede Valverde, withstood Atletico Madrid's most intense pressure, and secured the victory in a tense derby, full of chances and tension.

Fede Valverde sets the tone with a stunning early goal

The semifinal was decided from the 1:17 mark, when Fede Valverde's energy took over on a long-range free kick. Taking advantage of a poor positioning of the wall by Jan Oblak, with Sorloth facing sideways, the Uruguayan executed one of his trademarks: a powerful and precise strike. Valverde carefully placed the ball on the Alinma Stadium turf, took a run-up, and unleashed a thunderous shot that nestled into the Atletico Madrid net. A devastating start that conditioned the course of the match. Celebration, alternating periods of dominance, and Courtois to the rescue. The goal was celebrated with fury: a sprint, headbutts, a slide across the turf, and a shout directed at the predominantly Real Madrid supporters. However, the goal didn't bring control. Xabi Alonso's team overused direct play and allowed Atletico de Madrid to grow in confidence and generate more shots. That's where Thibaut Courtois emerged, key to maintaining the lead. Sorloth had the clearest chances with two consecutive headers (minutes 33 and 35): one at the near post that the Belgian saved with a prodigious one-handed stop, and another, unchallenged at the far post, that went over the bar.

Rodrygo misses first, but finds his redemption

Despite Atletico's pressure, Real Madrid almost scored a second goal in the 28th minute. Alvaro Carreras won the ball after an Atletico corner, Rodrygo appeared from behind, cut inside, and was one-on-one with Oblak, but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper. The Brazilian even had the option of setting up Vinicius, who was also involved in a tense verbal exchange with Diego Simeone. The two clashed in the first half, and after Vinicius was substituted in the second half,They both ended up with yellow cards. The Atletico coach also sought out Dani Carvajal on the way to the locker room to discuss a play from the match.

Goal, immediate response, and a nail-biting finish

The derby heated up after the break. Rodrygo, who had missed earlier, redeemed himself in the 55th minute. A through ball from Valverde, this time from the right flank, a winning touch from the Brazilian, and a precise finish past Oblak for 0-2. The lead lasted barely three minutes. Giuliano Simeone found Sorloth at the far post; the Norwegian outmaneuvered Asensio—who unsuccessfully appealed for a foul—and beat Courtois to bring Atletico back into the game.

Atletico's final onslaught and Real Madrid's resistance

Atletico de Madrid tried until the very end. More so than a Real Madrid side unable to control the game in the decisive minutes. Griezmann with an overhead kick, Marcos Llorente from the edge of the box, and Julian Alvarez with a low, driven shot across goal all had chances to force penalties. In defense, Tchouameni appeared in a makeshift back line: center-back alongside Carreras, Valverde at right-back, and Mendy on the left. A crucial interception by the Frenchman, going to ground, prevented a clear shot from Griezmann in the six-yard box.

There will be a Clasico: Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona in the final

Atletico searched until the very last second, but without success. The result confirmed another historic date: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will face each other in the Spanish Super Cup final, for the fourth consecutive edition, in a Clasico that will once again capture the attention of the football world.