UEFA Super Cup: Real Madrid wins the title after a thrilling contest against Manchester United

It was Isco's goal which made all the difference. | Image: Twitter
It was Isco’s goal which made all the difference. | Image: Twitter


Internet Desk:
It’s so near, yet so far for Europa League champions Manchester United as Champions League winners Real Madrid wins the UEFA Super Cup 2017 by 2-1 after a thrilling game at Skopje. Despite the fact that United had more authority in the game even after conceding two goals in the game, it was Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford who missed two golden opportunities to slip trophy from their hands in this season.

For the second consecutive year, Real Madrid has won the UEFA Super Cup and put themselves in position to pull off a record trophy haul. Casemiro got Los Merengues off to a fantastic start, putting his squad on the board first in the 24th minute. He made an uncharacteristic run forward during a pretty Madrid move, poking home a chipped pass by Dani Carvajal. Madrid doubled its lead just after halftime, through Isco. He scored in the 52nd minute after playing a gorgeous one-two exchange with Gareth Bale on the top of the box.
 
Romelu Lukaku had a terrible miss two minutes after that, but would go on to make up for it. In the 62nd minute, Keylor Navas spilled a shot by Nemanja Matic, and Lukaku was there to pounce on the rebound. It was Lukaku’s first competitive goal for United.

Manchester United, despite attacking in numbers in the second half, failed to get the equalizing goal because of some poor finishing. Following the Confederations Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was given an extended break, so he hasn’t been in full training long. That kept him out of the starting lineup, but he entered the match in the 83rd minute, to huge applause. Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio also came off the bench for Real Madrid, and combined on a great late chance that David De Gea had to tip over the bar.

 
United never found their equalizer, with Marouane Fellaini having the best chance with a header on target in the 90th minute. The Red Devils will have to brush this off and prepare for their Premier League opener on Sunday, while Real Madrid has one more week to get ready for league play.