TALLINN: Atletico Madrid finally managed to defeat neighbours Real in a European final to secure the UEFA Super Cup with a 4-2 win after extra time in the Estonian capital writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Diego Costa was Atletico’s hero in a seesaw game. He scored the opening goal in the first minute, equalised at 2-2 late in the second half then helped lay on both the Colchoneros’ third and fourth goals.

Atletico Madrid . . . in triumph in Tallinn

Real’s first competitive outing without Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the attack and Zinedine Zidane to control events from the coach’s technical area did not end the way controversially-appointed new boss Julen Lopetegui wished.

This was the first time Real had conceded four or more goals since November 2015 against Barcelona in LaLiga under Rafael Benitez – they never doing so under Zidane.

Lopetegui, infamously sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup for taking the Real job, thus became their first boss to concede at least four goals on his competitive debut since Englishman Michael Keeping against Celta Vigo in February 1948.

Transfer tale

Fans of the world and European champions may ponder whether more work should have been undertaken in the transfer market – just as Europa League holders Atletico had upgraded their own squad.

Costa smashed in the opening goal after just 49 seconds after he chased his own flick-on following Diego Godin’s ball forward, held off Sergio Ramos and fired beyond Keylor Navas at the near post.

Real levelled in the 27th minute through a header from French forward Karim Benzema following good work down the right wing by Gareth Bale who was otherwise largely anonymous.

Veteran captain Sergio Ramos put Real ahead in the 63rd minute from a penalty after defender Juanfran, under pressure from Benzema, was penalised for handball.

Real then appeared in command but had reckoned without Costa, in characteristic bullying form.

He claimed his second goal of the night to bring Atletico level at 2-2 with 11 minutes remaining by tapping in an Angel Correa cross to force the game into extra time.

Atletico went ahead for the second time in the match eight minutes into extra-time. Substitute Thomas Partey dug out a cross from the left following a pass from Costa and Saul Niguez volleyed powerfully into the top right corner.

Koke then added a fourth goal for Atletico with a neat strike into the bottom corner in the 104th minute which maintaind their record of winning all three of their Super Cup appearances. They were also the first Europa League winners to go on to win the trophy since they beat Chelsea in 2012.

Lopetegui regrets

Atletico coach Diego Simeone could not sit on the bench because of a UEFA ban.

Opposite number Lopetegui said: “A final is typically won by the team who capitalises on circumstances and Atletico are experts in doing that and they deserved to win.

“We aren’t happy with the result, it’s not normal for us to concede four goals and we need to improve. I insist that we played well, but they punished us with their goals.

“Now we have to focus on the season without thinking about what has happened in the last few years. We have to get the most out of the team and start to lift ourselves up now and start thinking about a league season which we are very excited about.”

Real open their LaLiga campaign on Saturday with a derby against Getafe while Atletico play Valencia on Sunday.

#############