Atletico Madrid picked up from where it left off in Spanish football last season, by claiming the Supercopa d’España with a 2-1 aggregate win over city rivals Real Madrid.
Having held the Copa del Rey holders to a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, La Liga champions Atletico won a second title in three months courtesy of Mario Mandzukic’s second minute strike.
A feisty contest began in high tempo as new signing Mandzukic failed to get the ball under control when put through on goal in the opening seconds, making up for that moment when he ran on to a Raul Garcia flick to put Atletico ahead seconds later.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone then got himself sent to the stands by the referee after appearing to tap the back of the fourth official’s head during a confrontation midway through the first half.
James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale went close afterwards but it was Atletico that came closest to another goal in the match a minute before half-time, but Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas did well to palm away a stinging long range shot by Raul Garcia.
Garcia went even closer to doubling Atletico’s lead seconds into the second half, but his flicked effort came off the crossbar while Casillas pushed away the ball before Mandzukic could pounce on the rebound.
Atletico held on, despite Cristiano Ronaldo coming on at half-time while there was also time for Luka Modric to get sent off in stoppage time, to claim by small measure a revenge for the loss in last season’s UEFA Champions League final to Real in May.
Atletico now will focus on the new La Liga season kicking off next weekend with a match at city rivals Rayo Vallecano while Real Madrid will host newly promoted Cordoba in another encounter.