Atletico Madrid finally got their own back on Real Madrid in European competition by snatching a 4-2 win over their city rivals on Wednesday to lift the Uefa Super Cup for a third time after midfielders Saul Niguez and Koke struck in extra-time.
Diego Costa gave Europa League holders Atletico a dream start against Champions League winners Real by firing them ahead after 49 seconds, knocking down a long pass and smashing the ball into the net from a tight angle.
Real, who beat Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and knocked them out of the competition in 2015 and 2017, levelled when Karim Benzema leapt at the far post to nod in a cross from Gareth Bale in the 27th minute.
Real looked set to pour more pain on their neighbours when Juanfran handled in the area and Sergio Ramos calmly tucked the spot-kick away, but a thumping close-range finish from Costa denied them and Atletico were ruthless in extra-time.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey pounced on an error by Raphael Varane’s mistake to set up Saul who rifled home a stunning volley to put Atletico ahead again in the 98th minute and fellow academy graduate Koke sealed the victory six minutes later.
Partey who came on in the 90th minute has become the first Ghanaian to win the UEFA Super Cup.
UEFA SUPER CUP: Real Madrid 2-4 Atletico Madrid | Saul (GOAL) 98' pic.twitter.com/UKJECbcCSV
— D9INE (@D9INE_NEXUS) August 15, 2018
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