Real Madrid win Supercopa silverware

Tonight, los Blancos faced longtime rivals FC Barcelona in the final leg of the Supercopa.  The match took place at home, in the Santiago Bernabéu, with Mateu Lahoz officiating the match.  This meeting would be their second of the season and would be the determining factor as to who wins the competition.  Away goals do count double in the competition and Madrid went into the game with a 2-3 aggregate.

The atmosphere of the Bernabéu could be described as electric, madridismo quite evident with the cheers of fans and flags waving.  And there was a lot to cheer about in the first half.  Pipita Higuaín got things started, scoring at the 11' minute mark.  The Argentine broke the deadlock with a right-footed shot to the high center of goal, Pepe at the assist with a through ball.  Barcelona's Javier Mascherano made a critical error, which Pipita took full advantage of, sliding the ball past Valdes.  Poor, poor defending for the Blaugranas.  Very surprising.  It was with his goal that RM tied Barça on aggregate at 3-3.

Minutes later at the 19' mark, Cristiano Ronaldo scored Madrid's second of the evening.  The Portuguese all-star scored with a right-footed shot to the top right corner, Sami Khedira at the assist.  Madrid pulled ahead on aggregate 4-3.  Again, there was some poor defending on Barcelona's part.

Barcelona would not be sleeping in all this.  The visitors scored a goal of their own by way of a Lionel Messi freekick at the 45'.  Xavi earned a freekick in the attacking half when Xabi Alonso got him 30 yards out, dead center of goal.  Messi earned Barça's first of the evening with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner. 

The second half was riddled with frustration by both sides.  Both RM and Barça came very close to scoring for their respective sides.  Madridistas and Culés watched on, literally on the edge of their seats.  Pipita came mere centimeters to scoring Madrid's third of the evening, but a challenge from Mascherano threw him off, the ball going, going, and goalpost!  What.  A.  Miss.  Would los Blancos regret this later?

As the half wound to a close, changes were made in both lineups, most notably with Luka Modric – latest signage to los Blancos – and Alex Song – latest signage to the Blaugranas – making their respective debuts.  And what a way to make your debut than during a Supercopa Clásico?  The changes made to Madrid's lineup certainly added energy to their attack, momentum back on their side.

Barça came close twice in the last few minutes, but Iker Casillas did well to defend.  I suppose the memories of the first leg at Camp Nou haunted him – set pieces and a weak backline.  If he could not count on his men, he'd have to do it himself.  To be fair, Madrid's defense was much better in comparison to last week's fiasco.  Messi came super close to scoring in stoppage time, but missed the target by mere inches.  Madridistas in the house cheered in relief and happiness.  Culés watched on, astonished.  Shock and a whistle.  The match had come to an end, with Real Madrid taking the title on away goals in spite of the 4-4 aggregate.

Congratulations, Blancos.  Congratulations for taking home the first silverware of season and winning your first Supercopa since '08.  The men will be back in action this Sunday, September 2^nd.  They will play at home in the Bernabéu against Granada.  Until then, keep calm and ¡Hala Madrid!

written by Gail Hidalgo