You can play even with Real, you can make them struggle, but in the end, Real Madrid will win (somehow). Carlo Ancelotti’s men played an average match against Valencia in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh, but after 120 minutes of football and penalties, they reached their goal – 4:3 (1:1 in the regular part). During the the penalty shootout, Ancelotti’s players made no mistake. Benzema, Modrić, Kroos and Asensio all scored, while Gaya’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois, and Komert sent the ball into the stands… And now the audience in Saudi Arabia is hoping that Barcelona will win tomorrow against Betis so they can see El Classico on their soil.6th – This is the 6th extra time in Spanish Supercopa history, the 5th with the new format (since 2019-20). The other one came in 1982-83 final, a match with Real Sociedad beating Real Madrid. Refreshed. pic.twitter.com/Ey6Wo0HgJ5— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 11, 2023 Real played an average match, Valencia had an excellent goalkeeper Mamardashvili, but nothing helped them. Valencia team missed the match ball in the second overtime, when Real, who had slowed down too much, lost their momentum. Carlo Ancelotti didn’t mixed much with the team, despite the fact that most of the protagonists felt the consequences of the World Cup in Qatar. Real took the lead through Karim Benzema in the 39th minute, as the French striker took advantage of the awarded penalty kick. After a deep pass, Komert brought down Benzema and contributed to Real’s advantage.Valencia took the competition in Riyadh as a chance to win the trophy and make the season significantly more successful. The Bats had a hero in Samuel Lino, who scored an equalizer in the 46th minute. But Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, brought from Dinamo Tbilisi, as a total outsider, impressed the European public with a couple of great saves. Real did not have a recognizable dose of dominance this night, neither they seemed fresh enough. Valencia could have solved everything in the second overtime, but Moriba’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois.SPANISH SUPER CUPSemi-finalWednesdayReal Madrid – Valencia 1-1 (1-0) (4-3 AP)/Benzema 39(p) – Lino 46/Thursday22.00: (6.75) Betis (4.40) Barcelona (1.53)***odds are subject to change
