Real Madrid 2 Sevilla 0. Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo secured the Super Cup for Real Madrid as they overcame Spanish rivals Sevilla and set in chain what the European champions hope will be a silver-rush this season.
Real have set themselves the target of six trophies - and with one already in the Bernabeu cabinet there remain five more to win: the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Supercopa de Espana. "I think an important cycle can start here as we have a squad of real quality," said coach Carlo Ancelotti after Tuesday's triumph. "I am lucky to be coach of a fantastic squad. It is clear we have to work a lot and make sacrifices but the possibilities are there to do big things and compete in all competitions."
With new summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos included in the Real starting XI it was a couple of last season's stars who combined to give them the lead on the half hour mark. Welshman Gareth Bale, playing in front his home fans at the Cardiff City Stadium, provided the cross for Ronaldo to volley home.
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Four minutes after the break the Portuguese star doubled Real's advantage, this time picking up a pass from Karim Benzema and firing a powerful shot past Beto in the Sevilla goal. "I felt good and the team helped me," Ronaldo said later. "We played with more intensity, tried to attack more and scored two goals. We were deserving winners."
Ronaldo was voted man of the match and he received his award from Alex Ferguson, his old coach during his six years at Manchester United. "I want to thank Sir Alex Ferguson," said Ronaldo. "For me it means a lot as he was the coach who taught me so much when I was in Manchester at 18 years of age."
Ancelotti was clearly relieved to see Ronaldo back to his best after his flat performances for Portugal in the World Cup, telling reporters: "Cristiano's performance was fantastic. He was the match winner, the best player on the pitch and won the match with two fantastic goals. He played really well."
And Ancelotti had this warning for Real's rivals ahead of a season he hopes will deliver nothing but silver. "Our style has not changed compared to last season – we can use the counterattack. It depends on how the game goes. Kroos played in the same position as Xabi Alonso with the same objective to pass the ball and when the chance arises, to use the speed of the forwards. It is not easy to improve this team, as we have a fantastic squad."
