Atletico Madrid scored a surprise draw against rival Real Madrid in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana on Tuesday. James Rodriguez came in for an injured Cristiano Ronaldo and opened his account with his new team with his first ever goal for Real, but it would not be enough as Raul Garcia netted the equalizer for Atletico just minutes later.
Real Madrid thought they had the victory with less than ten minutes to go, when newest addition, James Rodriguez celebrated his first ever goal for Real Madrid after scoring off a failed clearance attempt by Atletico. Atletico did not let up however, and thwarted their city rivals with a late goal in the final moments by Raul Garcia.
The first leg of the Supercopa de Espana kicked off on Tuesday when long time rivals, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid met on the pitch for the first time this season. The two city foes last met in May in the UEFA Champions League final that Real Madrid won 4-1 in extra time.
The match mirrored most of that game as it remained scoreless for most of the match.
Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, chose not to start his new “fantastic four”, opting to start Xabi Alonso over the Colombian, James Rodriguez. The move worked for Ancelotti, but not in the way he wanted as Cristiano Ronaldo went down with an injury late in the first half. At halftime, it was announced Ronaldo had reinjured his left knee, the same knee that kept him from being 100 percent fit for the World Cup, and the same knee that has so many in Spain worried about his fitness for Real Madrid this season.
Thankfully, Ancelotti wisely didn’t start Rodriguez as he was able to bring the 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Winner in off the bench. The move made Ancelotti look masterful as Rodriguez score in the 81st minute.
Rodriguez scored his first goal for Real Madrid when Toni Kroos sent a pass into the box that defenseman Daniel Carvajal attempted to cross to Karim Benzema in front of the net. Benzema was tripped in the box and Rodriguez came storming in to bury the ball into the back of the net. The goal must have felt like a dream for Rodriguez who has wanted to play for Real Madrid for his entire life.
After the goal, Spain’s #1 Tennis player and arguably number one Real Madrid fan, Rafadel Nadal could be seeing cheering louder and more passionately than anyone in his luxury box.
For Atletico Madrid, Mexico’s most expensive transfer, Raul Jimenez made his debut for Atletico when he came off the bench for Mario Mandzukic in the 78th minute.
Atletico scored the equalizer off of a perfect corner in the 87th minute. Koke placed a beautiful corner off of a set piece that remarkably missed all players on the near post and landed perfectly at the feet of Raul Garcia who gently flicked the ball into the net.
With the draw, Atletico Madrid has the edge in the return leg of the Supercopa de Espana next week. The two teams will meet again on August 22nd in the deciding match for the Spanish Super Cup trophy.
That game should be incredibly tense and action packed as both teams will desperately want to defeat their hated rivals and hoist the cup.
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