The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh witnessed a spectacle of attacking prowess and defensive frailties as Real Madrid edged out their city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 in the 2024 Spanish Super Cup semi-final. This wasn’t just a football match; it was a telenovela played out on the grandest stage, with twists, turns, and enough plot holes to keep a writer in business for months. So, let’s dissect the performances of the protagonists who painted this chaotic masterpiece, with ratings out of 10:
Real Madrid:
Kepa Arrizabalaga (3): His return to the Bernabéu fold hasn’t been smooth sailing. While he made a stunning reflex save off Griezmann in the first half, his indecisiveness and poor anticipation were directly responsible for two Atleti goals.
Dani Carvajal (10): From being a defensive liability in the first half to becoming the hero in extra-time, Carvajal’s performance was a microcosm of the entire match. His tireless running, pinpoint crosses (one leading to Mendy’s goal), and the thunderous volley for the equalizer were simply phenomenal.
Eder Militão (6): Decent in build-up, but found himself out of position too often against the pacey Correa and Cunha. Needs to be more assertive in aerial duels.
Antonio Rudiger (8): A towering header to equalize and generally solid defending except for a lapse in concentration on Griezmann’s goal. His presence and leadership helped steady the ship in extra-time.
Nacho Fernández (6): Looked rusty after a long spell on the sidelines. His lack of pace was exposed on the counter-attacks, particularly for Atleti’s second goal.
Ferland Mendy (7): A constant threat down the left, contributing both defensively and offensively. His clever flick for the second goal showcased his attacking instincts.
Fede Valverde (8.5): A box-to-box dynamo, Valverde covered every blade of grass and provided the assist for Mendy’s goal. His tactical discipline and energy were crucial in Madrid’s fightback.
Luka Modrić (6): Uncharacteristically sloppy in possession and guilty of lunging tackles that put his team under pressure. He looked a step off the pace, perhaps showing signs of his advancing years.
Jude Bellingham (6.5): Full of youthful enthusiasm but lacked composure at times. His passing was erratic, but his work ethic and tenacity were never in doubt.
Vinícius Júnior (7): A constant thorn in Atleti’s side with his pace and trickery. While his finishing remains suspect, his role in Carvajal’s goal and overall attacking contribution were vital.
Karim Benzema (7.5): Not at his most influential due to Atleti’s tight marking, but his movement and link-up play created space for others. His calmness and experience were key in extra-time.
Substitutes:
Toni Kroos (7): Provided much-needed control and composure in the midfield after coming on in the second half. His pinpoint long pass set up the move for Carvajal’s equalizer.
Brahim Díaz (7): Came on with fresh legs and added attacking impetus late on. His cheeky chip in injury time sealed the win, adding a touch of cheeky artistry to the drama.
Joselu (N/A): Played too little to be effectively rated, but his presence at the back post forced the own goal for the fourth Madrid strike.
Atletico Madrid:
Jan Oblak (7): Made some good saves, particularly denying Valverde in extra-time, but couldn’t do much about Madrid’s barrage of goals.
Felipe Monteiro (5): Struggled to contain Vinícius’ pace and was frequently caught out of position. His lack of agility was exposed on Mendy’s goal.
Stefan Savić (6): Solid in the air but culpable for the own goal with a clumsy clearance. His leadership kept Atleti in the game, but ultimately they couldn’t hold on.
Mario Hermoso (7): Scored the opening goal from a corner and was defensively sound for most of the game. His experience and composure were a calming presence at the back.
Reinildo Mandava (6): Energetic and tenacious, but his attacking forays left spaces for Carvajal to exploit in the second half.
Rodrigo De Paul (6): A constant creative spark, but his final ball lacked precision. His influence wan
