JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Real Madrid came through a fiery Madrid derby on Wednesday night, beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Federico Valverde struck early, Rodrygo added a second after the break, and that was enough to send Los Blancos into Sunday’s final against Barcelona.
Xabi Alonso’s side started sharply and stayed calm when the pressure rose late on. The win also made it five straight victories in all competitions. Atlético pushed hard and made it uncomfortable, but Real held on to set up an El Clásico showdown with Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, who swept past Athletic Club 5-0 in the other semi-final.
With the Super Cup once again staged in Saudi Arabia under the expanded format, the stands were loud, and the tempo matched the occasion. This rivalry rarely needs extra hype, and this match proved why.
Real Madrid Was Fast Out of the Blocks
Real Madrid didn’t wait around. In the second minute, they won a free-kick just outside Atlético’s area. Valverde, wearing the captain’s armband, stepped up and smashed a fierce effort into the top corner. Jan Oblak didn’t move. It was the perfect start, and it lifted Real’s first-half control.
Diego Simeone’s Atlético took time to settle. Their press never fully clicked early on, as Real broke lines quickly and attacked with speed. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo stayed wide and direct, and they kept Atlético’s full-backs busy. With Kylian Mbappé out injured, Gonzalo García led the line and linked play well, helping Real move up the pitch without rushing.
Real had more of the ball and found pockets of space, but Atlético’s back line stayed organised. David Hancko and Marc Pubill did enough to keep the damage to one goal by the interval.
Rodrygo Makes it Two, Sørloth Keeps Atlético Alive
The second half opened with more urgency, and Real struck again in the 54th minute. Valverde played a measured pass into Rodrygo, who killed it with his first touch, burst into space, and finished low past Oblak. It was a clean counter-attack, built on timing and pace.
Atlético didn’t fold. In the 58th minute, Alexander Sørloth climbed highest at the back post and headed in from a cross to make it 2-1. It was the reward for their constant attacking intent, with Atlético piling up attempts across the night.
From there, it turned tense. Atlético threw bodies forward and looked for an equaliser, with Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada adding energy from the bench. Marcos Llorente and Conor Gallagher forced saves from Thibaut Courtois, who stayed alert and strong under pressure.
Real responded by managing the match with smart changes. Fran García and Ferland Mendy came on to steady the left side, while the rest of the team dropped into a more compact shape when needed. In stoppage time, Atlético went all-in, but Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio dealt with the crosses and loose balls. The whistle confirmed Real Madrid’s place in the final, and their travelling fans made sure everyone heard it.
Team Line-ups
| Real Madrid Starting XI | Position | Atlético Madrid Starting XI | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thibaut Courtois | GK | Jan Oblak | GK |
| Federico Valverde | RB | Marcos Llorente | RB |
| Raúl Asencio | CB | Marc Pubill | CB |
| Antonio Rüdiger | CB | David Hancko | CB |
| Álvaro Carreras | LB | Matteo Ruggeri | LB |
| Aurélien Tchouaméni | DM | Giuliano Simeone | RM |
| Eduardo Camavinga | CM | Conor Gallagher | CM |
| Jude Bellingham | CM | Koke | CM |
| Rodrygo | RW | Álex Baena | LM |
| Gonzalo García | ST | Julián Álvarez | ST |
| Vinícius Júnior | LW | Alexander Sørloth | ST |
Several subs made an impact, including Nahuel Molina for Atlético and Dani Ceballos for Real Madrid.
Road to the El Clásico Final
Real Madrid moves on to face FC Barcelona in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final, the fourth straight edition in Saudi Arabia to end with El Clásico on the bill. Barcelona looked in top form in their semi-final, hammering Athletic Club 5-0, with Raphinha scoring twice as they chased another Super Cup title.
For Alonso and his squad, this win keeps their momentum rolling as they hunt the first trophy of the season. Even without Mbappé (out with a knee injury), Real’s depth showed, with Valverde driving the team forward and Rodrygo staying sharp when it mattered.
Atlético will feel they left something behind. They created plenty and kept coming, but they couldn’t find the final touch often enough. Simeone’s side turns back to La Liga, though this derby defeat will linger.
This semi-final had everything you expect from Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: an early knockout punch, a quick response, and a frantic finish. Sunday’s final looks set to bring more of the same.
