Real Madrid defeats Atalanta to win UEFA Super Cup

Kylian Mbappe scored on his Real Madrid debut to help his new team defeat Atalanta 2-0 and win the UEFA Super Cup for the record sixth time. After years of waiting to play for his ideal team, the French forward sensation finally joined Los Blancos this summer upon his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, and he celebrated his debut with a goal. After the Italian Europa League winners held their own in the first half, Fede Valverde broke the tie for the holders of the Champions League in the 59th minute with a close-range shot.

Madrid started to build momentum, and in the 68th minute, Mbappe scored a spectacular goal to secure the win after Jude Bellingham had spotted his run into space in the box. With Madrid's victory, head coach Carlo Ancelotti tied previous Los Blancos coach Miguel Munoz for the most titles won as a club manager with 14. This season, the Italian's first priority is creating a system that would maximize the performance of his wide range of attacking players. Mbappe started in the middle of Madrid's forward line, with Vinicius Junior to his left and Rodrygo Goes to his right, offering a glimpse of how Ancelotti may use him this season.

In a close first half, Mbappe's best opportunity came in the fifteenth minute, but Isak Hien expertly blocked his attempt from the middle of the box. After shocking Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final the previous season, Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta made their Super Cup debut. Eder Militao nearly gave them the lead by heading Marten de Roon's cross over his own bar. Bellingham took a hard touch to control a deft pass from Vinicius and was booked for a late push on Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso during a raid forward from midfield. Related News: Mbappe scored Real Madrid's first goal on his debut; Camavinga of Madrid misses weeks due to a knee sprain.

Atalanta's defense was concerned about Mbappe, who was moving with more freedom, but Madrid broke the deadlock before the hour mark through Valverde, who tapped in from close range. The Uruguayan midfielder scored with a tap of the ball after Vinicius, who was becoming more and more influential, cut the ball across the goal. Musso's tip over of Vinicius's attempt prevented him from doubling Madrid's lead. Bellingham attempted a second, but Musso stopped the former Borussia Dortmund player. Hien, a Swedish defender, blocked it. Once Bellingham maintained an assault and saw the Frenchman's deft move, Mbappe eventually delivered it with a deadly finish. When Ancelotti substituted the striker in the 83rd minute—possibly the first of many—the Madrid supporters applauded the player.