The 2014 European Super Cup pitted Real Madrid against Sevilla in Wales this evening.
Madrid, who won their 10th European Cup last term, led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a close-range finish from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo then added his second in the early stages of the second period on what was a comfortable night for Madrid.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.31pmEvening all! The La Liga season does not start until next weekend, but we have an all-Spanish affair tonight as Real Madrid face Sevilla in the European Super Cup. It is just the fourth time that this particular competition has been between two teams from the same country. Right, kickoff is around one hour and 15 minutes away, with team news from Wales expected in the next 15 minutes or so.
6.34pmIn total, these two sides have met 172 times in all competitions, with Madrid recording 90 wins to Sevilla's 53, while there has been 29 draws. Sevilla have won two of the last five matches between the two teams, however, including a 2-1 success in the league last season. The clash at the Bernabeu last term served up a 10-goal thriller, with the home side running out 7-3 winners.
6.37pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale all start for Real Madrid this evening, while Toni Kroos also starts in midfield. Sevilla team news to follow.
6.40pmTEAMS:
Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, James, Bale; Benzema
Sevilla: Beto; Coke, Pareja, Fazio, Navarro;, Krychowiak, Carrico; Suarez, Vitolo, Vidal; Bacca
6.43pmSo there we have it. The big news from the Madrid camp is that there are debuts for James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. As expected, Iker Casillas gets the nod in goal, with Keylor Navas on the bench. Gareth Bale also starts on his return to Cardiff. It is, quite simply, an astonishing team of attacking talent.
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6.46pmSevilla, meanwhile, hand starts to new signings Grzegorz Krychowiak, Denis Suarez and Aleix Vidal. Carlos Bacca is given the nod as the lone striker, while Federico Fazio will captain the team from defence. No real surprises in their XI truth be told. Like the Madrid XI, it is an attacking side.
6.49pmAlberto Moreno is not in the Sevilla squad this evening, meanwhile. The Liverpool target had been expected to play his last game for the club tonight, but has not been included. It seems almost certain that the Spanish international will complete a move to Anfield this week. Good news for Liverpool fans.
6.52pmDespite these two sides knowing each other well, Real Madrid and Sevilla have met just once in a European affair, with that two-legged clash occurring in the quarter-finals of the European Champions Clubs' Cup in the 1957/58 campaign. Madrid ran out 8-0 winners in the home leg, before drawing 2-2 in Seville.
6.55pmOverall, Madrid have won eight of their 15 games against Spanish teams in Europe, drawing four times and losing three. Sevilla, however, have won just three of their 10 European matches with La Liga opposition, losing four times in the process. Look what the weather of Wales has thrown up below:
Rainbow over the Cardiff City Stadium. The pot of gold's in the Madrid changing room. pic.twitter.com/it0OtJuv5k
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) August 12, 20146.57pm
Alberto Moreno not playing for Sevilla today as it's all sorted with Liverpool
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 12, 20147pmMadrid qualified for this particular competition after winning the Champions League – their 10th success in Europe – last season. They were just a couple of minutes away from losing to rivals Atletico Madrid in Benfica, but a Sergio Ramos equaliser sent them on their way to a 4-1 extra-time victory. It was some match.
7.03pmSevilla, meanwhile, made it three European titles in nine years by overcoming Benfica in the final of the Europa League last season. They needed penalties to beat the Portuguese outfit, with Beto saving spot kicks from Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo Moreno, while Sevilla converted each of their four efforts.
7.06pmIn terms of each teams' pedigree in this competition, Madrid have played in three Super Cups, but won just once. They lost to Chelsea in 1998 and then Galatasaray in 2000, but did beat Feyenoord 3-1 in 2002. While this trophy is not among Madrid's priorities for the season – far from it – it is a chance to put some more silverware in the cabinet. Kickoff is little under 40 minutes away in Wales.
7.09pmSevilla, meanwhile, have featured in two Super Cups, both of which were in Monaco. They beat Spanish rivals Barcelona 3-0 in 2006, but lost to Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan one year later. As mentioned, this is the fourth time that the Super Cup has been contested between two teams from the same country.
7.12pmMadrid lost out to Atletico Madrid in La Liga last season, but beat Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey and Atletico in the final of the Champions League to pick up two major trophies. Regaining the league will perhaps be the main priority for Los Blancos this season, but they are being hotly-tipped for a treble, having further boosted their squad this summer. It is some squad it must be said.
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7.15pmPre-season, however, has not been too impressive for Madrid. Granted they have been without a number of their key players due to injuries and the 2014 World Cup, but results have been disappointing. They lost on penalties to Inter Milan in their first match, before going down 1-0 to Roma on July 30.
7.18pmManchester United were Madrid's next opponents on August 2, but it was another defeat, with Louis van Gaal's side running out 3-1 winners. Following this match, Madrid face Fiorentina in another friendly at the weekend, before the small matter of a two-legged Super Cup affair with La Liga winners Atletico Madrid.
7.21pmMadrid's league season starts at home to newly-promoted Cordoba on August 25. They then travel to Real Sociedad, before welcoming Atletico once more in the league on September 13. Three Madrid derbies in the opening weeks of the season. What a treat!
7.24pmSevilla will be wary of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo this evening, with the Portuguese boosting a stunning record against the Estadio Ramon outfit. The Portuguese has scored three or more goals on four occasions against Sevilla over the last five seasons, hitting 16 in total. Good grief!
© Getty Images
7.27pmSevilla, meanwhile, have had a mostly positive pre-season. They opened with a 0-0 draw against French outfit Lyon on July 23, before beating German side TSV Braunschweig 2-1 two days later. They then lost to Union Berlin, but responded with a comfortable 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on July 20.
7.30pmSevilla have had two friendlies this month, first beating Fenerbahce 2-0 on August 2, before beating fellow La Liga side Cordoba 2-0 on Friday. Following this match, Sevilla welcome Sampdoria on Friday in their final pre-season match, before opening their La Liga campaign at home to Valencia on August 23. It is all go!
7.33pmSevilla have had a fairly active summer in terms of transfers, meanwhile. The following players have arrived - Mariano Barbosa (UD Las Palmas), Aleix Vidal (Almeria), Alejandro Arribas (Osasuna), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Stade Rennais FC), Denis Suarez (Barcelona, loan), Iago Aspas (Liverpool, loan).
7.36pmSevilla boss Unai Emery has tackled Madrid on 13 occasions during stints with Almeria, Valencia and now Sevilla, winning just three times and suffering nine defeats. However, as mentioned, he did lead the club to a 2-1 success in the league last season. Right, little under 10 minutes until kickoff this evening.
7.40pmPREDICTION: In truth, I am finding it extremely difficult to look past Madrid this evening. Sevilla have plenty of talent in their XI, but the Madrid side is quite sensational. I am expecting goals, which is in keeping with previous meetings between the pair. My prediction is 3-1 Madrid.
7.43pmHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for a real cracker in Cardiff.
0 minIt must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The Spanish supporters have travelled in their numbers for this match. Right, it is Madrid that get the action underway.
2 minAs expected, Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with the likes of Kroos and Modric both enjoying touches of the ball. You just get the feeling that Sevilla need to get through the opening 15 minutes here without conceding or it could be a very long night indeed for Emery's side.
4 minSevilla force the first corner of the match, but Ramos rises inside the box to clear. Madrid are down the other end with Benzema moments later, but he cannot find the run of Bale. It has been a fast start from both teams, with each prepared to commit numbers in the final third. The early signs are good for us!
5 minHalf-chance for Ronaldo as the Portuguese finds some space outside the box before striking on goal, but Beto is on hand to collect. No surprise that the first strike of the match has come from the Ballon d'Or.
7 minGood spell for Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, with their midfield two enjoying plenty of the ball. Bacca, meanwhile, is causing problems with his movement in the final third. Suarez, who is on loan from Barcelona, attempts to find the striker with a through pass, but Pepe is across to clear the danger.
9 minEnd-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with both sides attempting to force the issue in the final third. Bacca threatens to run away from Pepe, but the centre-back brings the Colombian to the ground. Madrid have not had it all their own way in the early exchanges, with Sevilla arguably the more positive team.
12 minMadrid have started to dominate the ball in the last few moments, with Kroos dictating the play from the middle of the park. Los Blancos are having no luck in the final third, however, with Fazio twice challenging Ronaldo. Still we wait for the first real chance of the contest, but it has been an entertaining 12 minutes.
13 minHalf-chance for Bale as the Welshman steps inside two defenders before firing one towards goal, but it deflects just wide of Beto's post. The goalkeeper was scrambling that is for certain.
15 minOpportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Coke fells Ronaldo outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Ronaldo, but his effort just deflects high of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered towards the centre of the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear under pressure from Ramos.
16 minMadrid have just started to up the tempo in the last couple of minutes, forcing two more corners in quick succession, but Fazio has been superb at the heart of the Sevilla defence. Still goalless in Cardiff.
19 minThe referee has been called into action to deal with a number of challenges in the last couple of moments, with Pepe bringing Suarez to the ground outside the Madrid box. Carvajal, meanwhile, clashes with Krychowiak. The resulting free kick is delivered by Suarez, but Carrico's header is straight at Casillas.
19 minCHANCE! First real chance for Madrid as James finds Bale with a fine sweeping pass, but Beto is on hand to make the save from close range.
21 minCHANCE! Sevilla come close to taking the lead as Vitolo capitalises on a poor pass from Carvajal before driving into the Madrid box, but his low effort is saved by Casillas.
23 minThe match has just started to open up in the last couple of minutes, with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. Benzema heads straight at Beto in Madrid's next attack, but the whistle had already been blown for a free kick. Still goalless with 23 minutes on the clock in Wales.
25 minSevilla continue to frustrate Madrid in the final third as Carrico steps out to challenge James, who has struggled to make his mark in the opening 25 minutes. Madrid are in control of the ball, however, and break forward moments later with Ronaldo, who wins a corner from Coke.
27 minCHANCE! Easily the best chance of the match falls to Ronaldo as the Portuguese collects a pass from Benzema before striking towards goal, but Beto is on hand to make a fine save.
28 minRonaldo has been the brightest spark for Madrid this evening, which is not much of a surprise. Sevilla, meanwhile, continue to carry their own threat with Vitolo and Suarez causing problems in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still goalless in this Super Cup.
30 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Sevilla (Ronaldo)
31 minReal Madrid take the lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Ronaldo converts a brilliant cross from Bale at the far post. It just had to be him didn't it. He just loves playing against Sevilla!
33 minIt was a sensational finish from Ronaldo, but the pass from Bale was incredible. Sevilla attempt to force the issue down the other end with Vitolo, but the Spaniard had moved into an offside position.
35 minAnother half-chance for Madrid as James delivers a brilliant cross towards Pepe, who controls before firing across the box, but Pareja is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Sevilla have defended well this evening, but have been undone by a brilliant cross from Bale. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play.
36 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla as Carrico meets a loose ball inside the Madrid box, but his effort is straight at Casillas, who makes a smart save. That was a real let-off for Madrid.
38 minIn fairness to Sevilla, they have more than matched Madrid for long spells here. The Estadio Ramon outfit again threaten when Bacca collects a poor header from Pepe, but Coentrao is across on the cover to clear.
41 minAnother half-chance for Madrid as James finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but Beto is on hand to make the save. The atmosphere has just dropped in the last couple of moments, with Madrid in control of the ball. The first period has just flown past in Wales.
42 minBOOKING! The first yellow card of the match is handed to Vitolo as the Sevilla winger dives into a late challenge with Ronaldo.
44 minThe resulting free kick is delivered by Kroos, but Bacca manages to clear for a corner. Madrid keep the pressure on with a period of possession outside the Sevilla box, but eventually the danger is cleared when Ramos is penalised for handball inside the box. Still Madrid lead 1-0 in Wales.
45 minBOOKING! Carvajal is booked for Madrid after a tug on Suarez, who showed wonderful ability to drive past the Spanish right-back down the left.
45 min+1The resulting free kick is delivered by Suarez, but Ramos is on hand to clear at the far post. Strong end to the half from Sevilla, who have matched Madrid for long spells of the first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Sevilla
© Getty Images
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading courtesy of a brilliant finish from Ronaldo, who met a cross from Bale at the far post. Sevilla have had their moments, however, with their best chance falling to Carrico, who tested Casillas from close range.
8.38pmSTATS: Madrid have had more of the ball with 60%, while they have had 10 attempts, three of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have tested Casillas with two of their four attempts. There has been two bookings, meanwhile, with Vitolo carded for Sevilla and Carvajal for Madrid.
8.43pmBENCH WATCH: Madrid have plenty of options on their bench this evening in the shape of Isco, Angel di Maria and Marcelo. Sevilla, meanwhile, have the likes of Jairo, Iago Aspas and Jose Antonio Reyes in reserve. Both managers will surely look to their benches as the evening gathers pace.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. You just get the feeling that the next goal could be crucial. It is difficult to imagine Sevilla coming from 2-0 behind without conceding another. Right, Sevilla get the second period underway on this warm evening in Wales.
48 minNo changes from either manager at the break, which is not too surprising. However, I suspect that subs will occur as the second period gathers pace. Fairly low-key start to the second period, with Sevilla in control of the ball. Bacca attempts to find an effort on goal, but Ramos is on hand to make the block.
49 min
.@Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating his brilliant first half goal. #RealMadridSevilla #SuperCup #RMLive pic.twitter.com/j5W8BzAgNL
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 12, 201449 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla (Ronaldo)
50 minRonaldo again - who else?! Los Blancos lead by two as the Portuguese drives into the box before flashing his effort into the corner of the net. It is difficult to see Sevilla responding from this.
52 minMadrid have made some wonderful signings this summer, but Ronaldo remains the main man. He is the star in this team and has once more come up trumps on the big occasion. Can Sevilla respond? I just cannot see it.
54 minHaving seen Ronaldo's second again, Beto might have done a little better. That said, it was a seriously powerful strike from the Portuguese. Madrid break forward once more with Coentrao, but Coke is across to make the challenge. Little over 35 minutes of this Super Cup remaining, unless Sevilla can find two goals.
56 minSevilla break into the Madrid box as Coke combines with Vitolo before attempting to move past Ramos, but the centre-back is on hand to make the challenge. Coke is again involved in their next attack, but his cross is straight into the arms of Casillas, who has had a calm and impressive night in Wales.
58 minPossession football from Madrid in the last couple of minutes, with the likes of Modric and Kroos controlling the ball from the middle of the park. The former attempts to slide a low pass into Benzema, eventually it falls to Ronaldo, but Fazio is on hand to make the challenge. Another Madrid goal would end this contest.
60 minSevilla continue to force the issue as Bacca finds some space outside the Madrid box before feeding Suarez, but Carvajal is across to clear at the vital moment. One goal for Sevilla would put a different spin on it!
63 minNot too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but Sevilla are really testing Madrid's defensive qualities here. Sevilla have been impressive, which tells you just how good Madrid have been. Little under 30 minutes of normal time remaining in Wales and Madrid still lead 2-0.
64 minOpportunity for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as James is felled outside the box by Carrico. Bale stands over the resulting set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall.
66 minCHANCE! Opportunity for Madrid to make it 3-0 as Benzema finds some space outside the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Beto is across to make a really smart save.
67 minBOOKING! Navarro is booked for Sevilla for a pull on Bale.
67 minSUB! Sevilla make their first change of the match as Aspas replaces Vidal.
68 minHalf-chance for Bale as the Welshman meets a loose ball inside the box, but Fazio is on hand to make a fine block. Is Bale's moment going to come this evening? You would not bet against it.
68 minCHANCE! James comes close to adding a third for Madrid, but his powerful effort is saved by Beto. Super goalkeeping from the Portugal international.
70 minStill no movement on the Madrid bench, but Di Maria and Khedira have been pictured looking quite unhappy it must be said. Both have been strongly linked with moves away this summer. Watch that space.
72 minAnother half-chance for Madrid as Benzema combines with Kroos on the edge of the box before attempting to curl one into the top corner, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Sevilla are down the other end with Bacca moments later, but the danger is cleared by Ramos.
73 minSUB! Madrid make their first change of the match as Isco replaces James.
75 minAnother half-chance for Madrid as Modric collects a loose clearance on the edge of the Sevilla box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Madrid are comfortable here despite Sevilla's threat on the counter.
77 minRamos has a problem here as the Madrid centre-back hits the ground awkwardly following a overhead kick. It could have caused Coke some problems as well! Still 2-0 with little over 10 minutes remaining.
79 minSUB! Sevilla make their second change of the match as Reyes replaces Suarez.
81 minNot too much to report in terms of attacking football in the last few moments, but Madrid are in control of the possession. Marcelo is stripped and ready to enter for Madrid in their second change of the evening.
83 minCHANCE! Madrid come close to scoring a third as Bale slides a low pass into Ronaldo, but Navarro is across to make a quite wonderful challenge at the vital moment.
85 minBoth Navarro and Ronaldo receive treatment following that clash, but it seems that the pair will be fit to continue. Little over five minutes of football remaining and Madrid are closing on another trophy.
85 minSUB! As expected, Madrid make their second change with Marcelo replacing Coentrao.
85 minSUB! Sevilla also make their third change as Figueiras replaces Coke.
87 minSUB! Third and final change for Madrid as Illarramendi replaces Modric.
88 minDi Maria and Khedira both remain on the bench for Madrid. It looks increasingly likely that the former could leave this summer, while Khedira has also been strongly linked with a move. Little over two minutes of football remaining and it is possession football for Los Blancos in the middle of the park.
90 minHalf-chance for Sevilla as Krychowiak strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Casillas is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner is delivered by Reyes, but Benzema is on hand to clear. Figueiras picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort flashes wide of the post. Good spell for Sevilla.
90 min+2We are into the second of three additional minutes this evening and Sevilla are producing a late rally here with corner after corner. However, Casillas twice produces punches to clear the danger.
90 min+3Another half-chance for Sevilla as Carrico meets a cross from Reyes, but his header was always moving wide of the post. That should be just about that for this one.
90 min+3CHANCE! Bale comes close to scoring a third for Madrid in the final move of the match, but his effort is straight at Beto, who makes a smart save.
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla
9.37pmSo there we have it. Ronaldo scores twice as Madrid win the 2014 European Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Sevilla. In truth, the victory never really looked in doubt. It is Madrid's night once more. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
