Real Madrid lifted their first trophy of the season thanks to a triumphant 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki, Finland, on Tuesday. David Alaba scored the opener and Karim Benzema put it out of sight for a Los Blancos side that did not need to get out of first gear. Real Madrid have lifted the Super Cup for the fifth time in nine tries in what Carlo Ancelotti will hope to be the first of many trophies this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt got off to a strong start to the match as Daichi Kamada gave Real Madrid trouble on the counter, but a defensive breakdown on a corner kick was enough space for Real Madrid to pounce. Benzema was allowed too much space to win a free header to keep the play alive before Casemiro headed the ball to Alaba, who didn't miss. That goal must have been extra special to Alaba given his Bayern Munich days.
Once Frankfurt opened things up to seek an equalizer, it was all Real Madrid as Vinicius Junior assisted Benzema for the second in the 65th minute. The shot did not seem to be impossible to save for Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, but then again, stopping Benzema is easier said than done. The German side was at least competitive in this match, but once they went behind, there was no way back. There'll be plenty to debrief as they prepare for what's to come in the Champions League group stage.
Here are three key takeaways from the match:
The strong counterattack is the bread and butter that got Frankfurt to this point, but they need Mario Gotze to discover some of his best form in order to control matches moving forward. Frankfurt are hard to get past when they get ahead, but the quality of teams they face in Champions League will be raised. They may need to hope they don't land Real Madrid in the group stage because Gotze's ability to pick apart teams will be what makes or breaks this team.
Gotze was involved in 19 goals during his time in the Eredivisie with PSV which is production that Eintracht Frankfurt could use. Without Filip Kostic, who's going to Juventus, someone will have to replace the seven goals and 15 assists he scored last season. Along with Gotze, Christopher Lenz, who will fill the left wing-back role, is another player who will be relied on. A good crosser, Lenz will need to improve his end product with more playing time this season.
When Vini Jr. gets the ball in space, you can expect the ball to go to one of two places: The back of the net or to Benzema. Odds are the ball will still find the back of the net if he finds an open Benzema. It wasn't their best link-up but it was good enough to beat Trapp.
Benzema became Real Madrid's second leading scorer in all competitions with his 324th goal. He still trails Cristiano Ronaldo who has 450 goals, but it's a testament to the career that Benzema has had. His performances will be critical to Real Madrid's success this season, and with Vini Jr. next to him, expect good things.
Kicking off Bundesliga play against Bayern Munich and then facing Real Madrid is no light task regardless whether it's the start, middle or end of the club season. On the plus side, things can't get much harder for Eintracht Frankfurt moving forward. After conceding eight goals across those two matches and scoring one, an away trip to Hertha Berlin will be a welcome sight on Saturday. They'll need to iron things out over the next few matches, but on level terms, they can be pleased with their performance and replicate the good spots in the return to Bundesliga play.
For Real Madrid, their La Liga title defense starts Sunday against Almeria. Newly promoted to La Liga after a seven-year absence from the top flight, it will likely be another match where Los Blancos don't have to leave first gear and they won't mind as they look to integrate Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni into the side before Champions League play forces the need to rotate more.
A 2-0 victory will see Real Madrid lift the UEFA Super Cup before opening La Liga play against Almeria on Sunday. David Alaba and Karim Benzema got the goals in a comprehensive victory for Los Blancos.
Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni have entered for Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos to see the match out.
They were unable to make it count but it's time to throw everything forward.
This could be out of sight as Trapp couldn't stop Karim Benzema who was assisted by Vini Jr because of course he was.
Rode leaves the match for Mario Gotze. After his spell with PSV, Gotze is back in the Bundesliga and this is a big opportunity for him to make his mark with Frankfurt. Lindstrom also leaves the match for Randal Kolo Muani, another new signing from Nantes.
Vini Jr had a great chance and while it was blocked on the way to Trapp, that only made the keeper's job harder when he went to save the chance.
Frankfurt created a chance on the dribble and Lindstrom beat not one but two challenges from Casemiro before firing his cross to nowhere. Better for the German side but they'll need to be more clinical.
Frankfurt are trying to push their attack forward via Rode but so far Real Madrid are up to it. Changes could be coming early at this rate.
Frankfurt had the right gameplan but one mistake versus Real Madrid is enough for them to blow you away. With Real Madrid's attack it feels like they're ahead by multiple goals even though it's only a one goal lead but Frankfurt will need to open things up to level it. Kamada has had a good start to the match and could get one but it'll be easier said than done.
It was a slow start but Alaba's goal has forced Frankfurt to open their defense up and Real Madrid are creating chances. Benzema missed a chance that he'd like back but it feels like only a matter of time until Los Blancos find their second.
Frankfurt gave Benzema the chance to win a header from a corner to keep it alive and Casemiro found David Alaba for the finish. Los Blancos are ahead!
Real Madrid are able to contain them but the mall still found Lenz on the edge of the box to keep things going. Frankfurt are growing in confidence by the minute so Real Madrid won't want this to get to the half level.
Real Madrid may be outpassing Frankfurt but they can't get any real chances off. Kamada has the only chance of the match but Courtois was there for the save. Will the match open up as it seems like each team is still putting out feelers currently.
Frankfurt have to make their chances count but it's clear that at least early on, the team is on the same page going forward. Neither team has an official shot yet but that's a positive sign for the German side.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are prodding but have been unable to find a breakthrough so far in the match. Frankfurt will need to be on the same page defensively so that they can create a chance on the counter.
The teams are ready with just over five minutes to go until kickoff.
Frankfurt are the 39th club to appear in the Super Cup and the fifth German club to take part. It will be an uphill battle but can they mark their debut with a victory? It's Real Madrid's eight Super Cup appearance as they look to win their fifth.
Starters: Trapp, Ndicka, Tuta, Toure, Lenz, Sow, Rode, Knauff, Kamada, Lindstrom, Maury
Reserves: Smolcic, Jakic, Kolo Muani, Alidou, Hasebe, Alario, Chandler, Hauge, Gotze, Grahl, Ramaj
Starters: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Reserves: Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Lunin, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Rudiger, Diaz, Camavinga
They need to have a short memory if they are to win this one. The 6-1 loss at home to Bayern Munich on Friday to kick off their Bundesliga campaign has brought more questions than answers. Manager Oliver Glasner knows his team have to be more committed and united on the pitch to have a chance. A lack of discipline against Bayern cost them, and if they do it again here, they'll lose handily. Expect them to respond and show the energy needed to compete.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated in the lead-up to this match that he hopes to play the starting XI that won the Champions League final last season, fitness permitting. Not to say teams don't take this game seriously, because they should, but Real seem zeroed in on treating this like a major cup final in pursuit of another piece of hardware. Don't expect any surprises in the starting XI.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 10 | Time: 3 p.m.ET
Location: Olympic Stadium -- Helsinki, Finland
TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream: Paramount+ (Try it free)
Odds: Real Madrid -260; Draw +340; Eintracht +550 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
The Olympic Stadium will be treated to quite an affair as Real Madrid faces Eintracht Frankfurt. While Los Blancos are certainly the favorite, they'll need to do a professional job to see off a Frankfurt side that always shows up in big games. Follow along for what could be a wild ride!
