Stephen Dunmoye
France striker Kylian Mbappé scored on his debut as Real Madrid outclassed Atalanta 2-0 to win the European Super Cup on Wednesday.
Uruguayan Federico Valverde put the European champions ahead after 59 minutes from close range and Mbappé fired the ball into the top corner from Jude Bellingham’s pass to double the advantage nine minutes later.
Madrid clinched a record sixth Super Cup crown to move ahead of Barcelona and AC Milan who have each won the annual match between the Champions League winners and Europa League champions five times.
Mbappé, who joined Madrid in June from Paris Saint-Germain, could have netted in the 15th minute, but his first-time attempt was blocked by the Atalanta defence.
Atalanta, playing in their first Super Cup after winning the Europa League, showed no fear against their illustrious opponents.
After soaking up Madrid’s initial pressure, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side grew increasingly confident and Marten de Roon’s deflected shot crashed against the bar.
Atalanta continued to make chances, Éderson shooting just wide from distance before Real keeper Thibaut Courtois saved Ademola Lookman’s strike.
Rodrygo missed an excellent chance for Real in first-half stoppage time, sending a low pass from Vinicius Junior against the bar.
Atalanta continued to press and Mario Pasalic tested Courtois with a header which the Belgian goalkeeper brilliantly denied with his finger tips.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men broke the deadlock when Valverde converted a precise pass from Vinícius.
Madrid could have doubled their lead through Vinicius following a fine counter-attack and Bellingham wasted two good chances before he set up Mbappé for Real’s second, cutting the ball back for the Frenchman to provide a neat finish.
The 25-year-old, who won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG and Monaco, but had never previously won a European club competition, was substituted seven minutes from time.