European and Spanish champions Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 3-0 to set up a Spanish Super Cup final with Barcelona.
Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo win for Real Madrid 3-0 win over Mallorca and the Spanish Super Cup final against rival Barcelona.
Bellingham’s clinical second-half strike sealed victory for Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with the chance to avenge their heavy defeat in La Liga in October.
Madrid, well supported by their fans in Jeddah, never seemed to let their advantage slip away, with Martin Valiente’s own-goal in stoppage time sealing victory and Rodrygo’s third goal coming from close range in the dying seconds.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for the way his team’s offense controlled the game in the second half. “When those forwards activate, anything can happen,” he said of his front three attackers and Bellingham. “These four (forwards) are very dangerous. That’s obvious. Everyone can see the quality they have.”
Real Madrid took the lead against last season’s Copa del Rey runners-up, with Lucas Vazquez and Rodrigo Goss going close in the early stages.
Kylian Mbappe appealed for a penalty after falling under pressure from Dani Rodriguez, but the penalty would have been softer.
Jagoba Arrasat’s Mallorca side stood firm and did well to limit the Spanish and European champions from any further clear-cut chances in the first half.
Madrid lost Aureliano Chuameni early in the second half after sustaining a head injury in a challenge with Ser Larin, although he appeared frustrated with his exit.
Real broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute through Bellingham’s post as Mallorca goalkeeper Dominic Greve denied Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe.
Madrid’s furious action bore fruit as Rodrygo hit the post with a header from Vinicius Junior’s cross and Kylian Mbappe’s shot was blocked by the onrushing Greif.
Bellingham continued his stunning individual form by being in the right place at the right time, gingerly flicking the rebound past his defender at the goal line.
The England international has scored eight goals for Real Madrid in his past 10 games in all competitions.
“Jude is a phenomenal player. He always helps us win games, whether it’s goals, assists or just his work,” Bellingham’s midfield teammate Chuameni said after the game, adding that he No exits due to head collisions.
Mallorca struggled to find a chance to counterattack and eventually contributed to Madrid’s second goal when Valiente stretched to block a pass but slid the ball into his own net.
Rodrygo scored a late winner to set up a repeat of last season’s final, won by Super Cup reigning champions Madrid.
Midfielder Luka Modric missed Thursday’s game due to illness and Real must wait to see if he can feature in Sunday’s final.
“Our player Luka Modric will miss the match against Mallorca due to a viral illness,” the Spanish champions said in a statement hours before the semi-final.
The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder Modric scored a goal against Valencia in La Liga last week, becoming Real Madrid’s oldest goalscorer.