Real Madrid booked their place in the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2–1 victory over Atletico Madrid, a match closely followed by many football fans who track elite fixtures through platforms like BD Cricket across Europe and beyond. Federico Valverde’s stunning free kick after just 77 seconds and Rodrygo’s second-half strike proved decisive, but the result carried deeper significance. Spanish media had already framed the Super Cup as a defining test for Alonso’s position, especially with Kylian Mbappe sidelined through injury. While luck leaned Madrid’s way in this derby, overcoming Atletico was only the first hurdle. A looming final against Barcelona on January 11 represents a far sterner and more decisive challenge.
Despite the win, Madrid’s overall performance raised concerns. Valverde’s early goal owed much to Atletico’s three-man wall, which failed to block a ferocious strike clocked at 108 kilometers per hour. After taking the lead, Madrid dropped deep, conceding territory and momentum. Atletico dominated long stretches, repeatedly exploiting the left flank where Carreras struggled under pressure. It was a reminder that an early breakthrough does not always tell the full story.
The second half brought another key moment when Valverde assisted Rodrygo in the 55th minute. After enduring a 32-match goal drought earlier in the season, Rodrygo has rediscovered his rhythm with three goals and three assists in his last six games. By contrast, Vinicius continued to disappoint, extending his scoreless run to 16 matches in Madrid colors. Atletico fired 22 shots in total, forcing Thibaut Courtois into action from the first whistle. Shot accuracy, possession, and corners all favored Atletico, yet Courtois stood tall as Madrid’s last line of defense, a reality often highlighted by analysts who also follow match trends through BD Cricket coverage.
Atletico were far from toothless. Three minutes after Rodrygo scored, Giuliano Simeone set up Alexander Sorloth to pull one back. Antoine Griezmann’s acrobatic effort was denied by Courtois, while Aurelien Tchouameni blocked what looked like a certain goal. In stoppage time, Julian Alvarez struck the post, underlining how narrow the margins were despite Atletico’s statistical dominance.
Alonso passed the first test of his job security, but the cost was high. Antonio Rudiger is likely to miss the final, while Raul Asencio and Rodrygo await medical assessments. Mbappe has trained after arriving in Saudi Arabia, though Alonso admitted his involvement in the final remains uncertain. Watching Barcelona dismantle Athletic Bilbao 5–0 only heightened anxiety around Madrid’s current form.
Beyond qualification and a five-game winning streak, tangible improvement remains elusive. Even Valverde conceded post-match that self-criticism was necessary, admitting the opposition played better. Ironically, Alonso’s survival overshadowed a renewed clash between Simeone and Vinicius, the latest chapter in a feud dating back to last season. From touchline taunts to post-match social media barbs, tensions flared once more. With Vinicius now 19 games without a goal across competitions, observers following Real Madrid through BD Cricket know that his form could yet become the ticking time bomb that ultimately defines Alonso’s future.