It was the game to win; For both teams. Not only because it was a final, but also because it was a way, for Real Madrid, to erase a poorly season and for the Athletico to erase 12 years without a win against their opponent of the day!
Santiago Bernabeu was loud and colorful to welcome the two teams.
Real Madrid quickly puts the foot on the ball and dictates the pace of the game. They will do so for the entire game.
Madrid will score first from the header of the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo. Out of a corner kick by Ozil, the Portuguese jumps higher than Falcao and heads the ball near far post, into the net! Unstoppable (15').
Madrid takes a well deserves lead. Indeed, even if they score in their first real opportunity, they had the control of the game and Athletico was simply defending, having a hard time to keep the ball.
But surprinsingly, Falcao and his teammates will get back in the game. The Colombian shows his skills in midfield and dribbles three Madridistas before serving Diego Costa into space. The Brazilian striker gets a first touch in the ball to go away from Ramos and shoots a powerful strike with his left foot. Diego Lopez, Madrid's goalkeeper touches the ball, but cannot stop the ball from finishing into the net with the help of the post (36').
The second half starts just like it ended. Madrid still possesses the ball, but does not really find a way around the solid Athletico defense. Until Ronaldo, with the ball on the left side, dribbles a defender along the goal line and finds a cross in the box. Benzema is there, but his shot hits the post! Ozil follows and after a fake shot, sees his attempt saved by Juan Fran on the line (60'). The German player deserved a goal. He was the best Madrid player on the field tonight.
After Madrid, Madrid will hit the post one more time by Ronaldo. The Portuguese hits a free kick under the wall, Courtois is beaten, but the post once again denies another goal for Madrid and Ronaldo.
The last 10 minutes of the game are harsh. Tackles fly and the referee gives yellow cards like candies. Mourinho is furious on the side line and is finally sent off. Madrid lets the game slip away and both teams wait for the overtime.
The first half of overtime looks like the end of the game. Madrid has trouble posing the game and wastes some good on set pieces. Ronaldo loses his cool and shows some signs of aggravation.
Athletico takes advantage of Madrid's star defeatist attitude (the one we've seen during the last few months) to put more pressure. They will finally score the winning goal by the header of Miranda. On a corner kick by Koke, Madrid's defense heads the ball away, back to Koke. He then crosses the ball toward the first post and Miranda, unmarked, heads it home (98').
Despite a stronger pressure until the end of the game, Madrid won't score and will even finish the game down to 10 men after Ronaldo's reaction after a dangerous tackle. The Portuguese, who could be leaving Madrid this summer, shown his best and his worst for what could be his last game at Santiago Bernabeu.
Athletico can celebrate a victory against their archenemy they have been looking for since 1999.
Real Madrid, however, will have to forget a poor season that they will finish with only one trophy, the Super Copa, won at the beginning of the season. A sad way to leave a club for Mourinho, who should be Chelsea's coach next season and Ronaldo, who has shown his desire to see something else...
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