Madrid Outclass Barca to Win Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid outclassed archrivals Barcelona 2-0 in the second leg of the 2017 Spanish Super Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu

to win the two-legged tie 5-1 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Barcelona were the holders of the Spanish Super Cup after winning it in 2016.

Two first half goals from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema secured Madrid their 10th Spanish Super Cup and their first since 2012.

It is Madrid’s second trophy of the new campaign after earlier beating Manchester United 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup.

Madrid, without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, had the game’s first real chance in the second minute through Luka Modric but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Samuel Umtiti.

In the fourth minute Madrid broke the deadlock following a brilliant left-foot strike from the lively Asensio.

Karim Benzema almost doubled Madrid’s lead in the 10th minute only for Gerard Pique to head Marcelo’s dangerous cross away to safety.

Barcelona went close to getting on the score sheet in the 16th minute following a mazy run from Messi but Kaylor Navas quickly came off his line to gather the ball.

In the 20th minute Madrid broke on the left but Marcelo’s dangerous low cross evaded everybody before rolling out for a goal kick.

Asensio had a chance to score his second goal of the game after being fed by Benzema but his shot was blocked away for a corner kick.

Barcelona were almost caught on the counter in the 30th minute but Toni Kroos scuffed his shot from the edge of the box off an assist from Lucas Varquez.

Madrid continued to probe forward and were almost rewarded in the 32nd minute but Pique made a timely clearance to prevent Benzema from getting a head to the ball.

For the second time in the game, Asensio struck a beautifully curled left-foot effort which unfortunately came off the post.

Madrid went 2-0 up in the 39th minute thanks to Benzema who sneaked from behind Umtiti before slamming a left-foot strike into the bottom left corner of the net.

With two minutes remaining in the first half, Benzema found his way into Barcelona’s defence but his left-foot shot from the edge went just over the bar.

Two minutes into the second half Luis Suarez was teed up on the right with acres of space but his low cross was well saved by Navas.

Lionel Messi should have scored for Barcelona in the 53rd minute following a mistake by Madrid’s defence but his effort came off the bar.

Ten minutes into the second half Marc Andre Ter-Stegen parried away Benzema’s shot from a tight angle.

Suarez thought he had pulled a goal back for Barcelona in the 59th minute but his header was well held by Navas.

Sergio Roberto almost got one back for Barcelona in the 65th minute but could not reach Jordi Alba’s cross.

Barcelona had two quick opportunities to get back into the game but Roberto and Suarez could not put the ball inside the net.

Former Everton forward Gerard Deulofeu broke for Barcelona in the 84th minute only for Sergio Ramos to block his shot away for a corner.