Atletico Madrid hit Real Madrid for four to win Super Cup

Diego Costa bagged a brace as Atletico Madrid came from behind to strike four goals past rivals Real Madrid to clinch the 2018 European Super Cup.

Julen Lopetegui’s side looked set for a victory in 90 minutes after goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos followed Costa’s 49-second opener. However, Real allowed Atleti back into the game, with Costa netting a second to send the match into extra time.

It was in the first half of extra time where Diego Simeone’s team raced ahead of their rivals, with Saul Niguez smashing home a stunner on the full volley before Koke passed a finish into the back of the net to make it 4-2.

After defeats to Real Madrid in the finals of the 2013-14 and 2015-16 Champions League, this felt like some measure of revenge for Atletico Madrid. After a strong summer in the transfer market, they could be set for a big season. For Real Madrid in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo age, though, they have questions to answer.

Does this show that Atletico Madrid are the real deal this season? They’ve arguably had the best summer of any team in Europe, keeping their best players (Godin, Griezmann and Oblak) while adding quality in the form of Lemar, Gelson Martins and Rodri. So in a sense, it was no surprise that Atletico Madrid turned in this sort of performance. But was this a sign of bigger things to come? Are Simeone’s side the real deal this season? Can they truly challenge for top honours both in Spain and Europe?

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid): This was the quintessential Costa performance. He was in his usual fighting mood, sparking scuffles with any Real Madrid player that came close to him, but also acting as a battering ram for his teammates to hit as the focal point of Atletico Madrid’s attack. Costa, more than anyone else, embodies Atleti under Simeone. Real Madrid never found a way to deal with him over the 108 minutes he was on the pitch.

Real Madrid: Navas 5, Carvajal 5, Varane 5, Ramos 6, Marcelo 6, Casemiro 6, Kroos 5, Isco 5, Bale 7, Benzema 7, Asensio 6. Subs: Modric 7, Ceballos 5, Mayoral 5, Vazquez 5.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 6, Juanfran 7, Savic 7, Godin 7, Lucas 5, Lemar 7, Rodrigo 6, Saul 7, Koke 7, Griezmann 5, Costa 8. Subs: Correa 7, Partey 6, Vitolo 5, Gimenez 5.

1’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid: What a start! What a goal by Costa! Atletico Madrid have the lead within the opening minute. Costa wins a header, powers past Varane and from a tight angle smashes home a finish. That is Costa all over! Wonderful!

19’ - BIG SAVE FROM OBLAK! That was close to an equaliser from Real Madrid. Marcelo got to the byline and lashed a pass across the face of goal. Isco's flick forced Oblak into a low save!

27’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid: An equaliser for Real Madrid! Benzema gets the goal, but it was all about Bale. He surged down the right wing, whipped a wicked cross to the back post for his teammate to head back across goal and into the net!

62’ - PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! The referee points to the spot after a handball by Juanfran.

63’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid: It's Ramos who steps up to the penalty spot and converts, sending Oblak the wrong way. That was calm from the Real Madrid captain, who celebrates with a Conor McGregor-esque swagger. He knew he'd score that.

79’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico Madrid: Real Madrid don't clear their lines, and it costs them. Juanfran passes to Correa, who crosses for Costa to slam home from close range. Another typical finish from the Atletico Madrid forward! We're level!

98’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 2-3 Atletico Madrid: That's a rocket! What a magnificent goal from Saul! He loves a wonderstrike! Varane gets caught, Partey flips a cross back into the box and Saul smashes a strike into the back of the net on the full volley.

104’ - GOAL! Real Madrid 2-4 Atletico Madrid: That might be the game! Costa bullies Carvajal, passes to Vitolo who finds Koke. The Atletico Madrid midfielder steers the finish into the far corner of the Real Madrid net. That was an excellent finish!

At 49 seconds, Diego Costa's goal for Atletico Madrid was the quickest ever scored in a European Super Cup.

Sergio Ramos became the first Real Madrid player in history to score in two separate European Super Cup finals (2016 and 2018).

Atletico Madrid scored four goals in a final against Real Madrid for the first time ever.