Barcelona’s struggles in 2020-21 continued on Sunday as they suffered a 2-3 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup finals. The defeat not only extended the club’s trophy drought but also saw superstar forward Lionel Messi receive his first red card in a Barca jersey.

Barcelona opened the match on a positive note, with Antoine Griezmann scoring in the 40th minute. Bilbao struck back two minutes later, with Oscar De Marcos converting Inaki Williams’ cross to make it level before halftime.

Griezmann was once more the difference-maker in the 77th minute, netting his second goal and seemingly giving the Catalan club the win.

But sub Asier Villalibre denied Barca from claiming their 14th Spanish Super Cup trophy in the 90th minute, delivering a beautiful volley and sending the game to extra time.

Bilbao needed just three minutes in the extra time to take the lead, as Williams scored a stunning curler from the top of the penalty box.

Barcelona immediately dialed up their attack and tried to get a quick response. Still, all their attempts failed short and caused major frustration among the players.

Even ever-cool Messi lost his temper towards the end of the game, hitting Villalibre with his elbow during one duel and being sent-off. The 33-year-old Argentine previously played 753 matches for Barcelona without receiving a red card.

Without their best player on the pitch, Barca couldn’t mount a comeback, and Bilbao secured their second Super Cup win in the last six years and third overall.

The post Athletic Bilbao Beats Barca to Win Spanish Super Cup, Lionel Messi Sent off appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid won yet another title on Sunday night, taking home the 2020 Spanish Super Cup title after yet another tense game with bitter rival Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos played Los Colchoneros to a 0-0 draw in the first 90 minutes. After no goals were scored during 30 minutes of extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout which was never in much doubt.

Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde was shown a red card and ejected from the game in the final minutes of extra time after taking down Atletico forward Alvaro Morata, who had a clear path towards the goal.

Valverde’s decision proved wise as Real Madrid won the shootout 4-1 after a shaky performance by Atletico Madrid’s penalty takers, claiming their 11th Super Cup title in the 36th edition of the competition.

After Atletico Madrid’s Saul fired wide of the net and Thomas Partey shot right at Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, who saved the shot, Sergio Ramos buried his decisive penalty to give Real Madrid the trophy.

This year’s Super Cup was marked by controversy after the Spanish federation’s decision to include Atletico and Real Madrid in the competition despite neither winning the Copa del Rey nor the league last season, instead opting for a four-team format.

Real Madrid and Atletico will head back to work next weekend as La Liga returns to action.

The post Real Madrid Wins Spanish Super Cup in Penalty Shootout appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Real Madrid dominated Copa del Rey champions Valencia 3-1 in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to advance to the final of this year’s edition of the Spanish Super Cup.

Real Madrid will advance to play the winner of Thursday’s Barcelona-Atletico Madrid match in Sunday’s final.

This year’s Super Cup is being held in a four-team format and outside of Spain for the first time as the Spanish Football Federation looks to grow its brand internationally.

It was easy pickings for Los Blancos against Valencia on Wednesday. It didn’t take long for Zinedine Zidane’s side to find a lead after Toni Kroos scored a remarkable corner kick goal in the 15th minute of the match.

Less than a half hour later, Isco doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a goal that put his team comfortably ahead before the break.

Luka Modric, who might be playing his last season in the Spanish capital amid rumors of a possible departure to MLS, got in on the fun with a 65th minute wonder goal that turned the game into a laugher.

Dani Parejo’s stoppage time penalty after a Sergio Ramos handball gave Valencia a goal to get them on the scoreboard just before the match’s conclusion.

The competitions final will be held on Sunday evening in Jeddah.

The post Real Madrid Advances to Super Cup Final with 3-1 Win Over Valencia appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Barcelona’s struggles in 2020-21 continued on Sunday as they suffered a 2-3 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup finals. The defeat not only extended the club’s trophy drought but also saw superstar forward Lionel Messi receive his first red card in a Barca jersey.

Barcelona opened the match on a positive note, with Antoine Griezmann scoring in the 40th minute. Bilbao struck back two minutes later, with Oscar De Marcos converting Inaki Williams’ cross to make it level before halftime.

Griezmann was once more the difference-maker in the 77th minute, netting his second goal and seemingly giving the Catalan club the win.

But sub Asier Villalibre denied Barca from claiming their 14th Spanish Super Cup trophy in the 90th minute, delivering a beautiful volley and sending the game to extra time.

Bilbao needed just three minutes in the extra time to take the lead, as Williams scored a stunning curler from the top of the penalty box.

Barcelona immediately dialed up their attack and tried to get a quick response. Still, all their attempts failed short and caused major frustration among the players.

Even ever-cool Messi lost his temper towards the end of the game, hitting Villalibre with his elbow during one duel and being sent-off. The 33-year-old Argentine previously played 753 matches for Barcelona without receiving a red card.

Without their best player on the pitch, Barca couldn’t mount a comeback, and Bilbao secured their second Super Cup win in the last six years and third overall.

The post Athletic Bilbao Beats Barca to Win Spanish Super Cup, Lionel Messi Sent off appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid won yet another title on Sunday night, taking home the 2020 Spanish Super Cup title after yet another tense game with bitter rival Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos played Los Colchoneros to a 0-0 draw in the first 90 minutes. After no goals were scored during 30 minutes of extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout which was never in much doubt.

Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde was shown a red card and ejected from the game in the final minutes of extra time after taking down Atletico forward Alvaro Morata, who had a clear path towards the goal.

Valverde’s decision proved wise as Real Madrid won the shootout 4-1 after a shaky performance by Atletico Madrid’s penalty takers, claiming their 11th Super Cup title in the 36th edition of the competition.

After Atletico Madrid’s Saul fired wide of the net and Thomas Partey shot right at Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, who saved the shot, Sergio Ramos buried his decisive penalty to give Real Madrid the trophy.

This year’s Super Cup was marked by controversy after the Spanish federation’s decision to include Atletico and Real Madrid in the competition despite neither winning the Copa del Rey nor the league last season, instead opting for a four-team format.

Real Madrid and Atletico will head back to work next weekend as La Liga returns to action.

The post Real Madrid Wins Spanish Super Cup in Penalty Shootout appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Real Madrid dominated Copa del Rey champions Valencia 3-1 in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to advance to the final of this year’s edition of the Spanish Super Cup.

Real Madrid will advance to play the winner of Thursday’s Barcelona-Atletico Madrid match in Sunday’s final.

This year’s Super Cup is being held in a four-team format and outside of Spain for the first time as the Spanish Football Federation looks to grow its brand internationally.

It was easy pickings for Los Blancos against Valencia on Wednesday. It didn’t take long for Zinedine Zidane’s side to find a lead after Toni Kroos scored a remarkable corner kick goal in the 15th minute of the match.

Less than a half hour later, Isco doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a goal that put his team comfortably ahead before the break.

Luka Modric, who might be playing his last season in the Spanish capital amid rumors of a possible departure to MLS, got in on the fun with a 65th minute wonder goal that turned the game into a laugher.

Dani Parejo’s stoppage time penalty after a Sergio Ramos handball gave Valencia a goal to get them on the scoreboard just before the match’s conclusion.

The competitions final will be held on Sunday evening in Jeddah.

The post Real Madrid Advances to Super Cup Final with 3-1 Win Over Valencia appeared first on SportzBonanza.