Champions League holders Real Madrid have retained the UEFA Super Cup after recording a 2-1 victory over Europa League winners Manchester United in Macedonia on Tuesday night.
Casemiro sent Real Madrid one goal ahead in the 24th minute, before Isco doubled Los Blancos' lead early in the second period.
Man United were back in the match just past the hour when Romelu Lukaku fired home from close range, but the Spanish champions held on to land more European silverware.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live coverage continues from Skopje, Macedonia as Champions League winners Real Madrid face Europa League holders Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup. The first European trophy of the 2017-18 campaign will be awarded tonight, and both clubs will be desperate for some early silverware. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates here!
Man United have actually only beaten Real Madrid once in a competitive match since 1968, with that 4-3 victory occurring during the quarter-finals of the 2002-03 Champions League. Real Madrid still won that particular tie 6-4 on aggregate, however, and Los Blancos also knocked the Red Devils out of the 2012-13 Champions League in the round of 16.
The two European giants have not locked horns in a competitive game since Real Madrid won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League match in March 2013. However, the pair did meet in a pre-season friendly in California on July 23, and it was Man United that won 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. What will tonight bring? Hopefully an entertaining match!
Right, before we go any further, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Macedonia. Does Cristiano Ronaldo feature for Real Madrid tonight? Are there competitive Man United debuts for Nemanja Matic, Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku? All of the questions answered...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Bale
UTD: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Darmian; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Lingard
Gareth Bale, despite his recent injury problems and the speculation surrounding his future, starts for Real Madrid tonight. Does that end Man United's reported interest? It may well do. Bale starts alongside Isco and Karim Benzema in the final third, with Cristiano Ronaldo, having not represented Los Blancos in pre-season, named on the bench. Sergio Ramos skippers the Spanish champions from centre-back.
As for Man United, there are competitive debuts for Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku, while Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also start for the 20-time English champions. Suspensions for Eric Bailly and Phil Jones means that Chris Smalling partners Lindelof at centre-back, while Jesse Lingard is preferred to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the final third of the field.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup. I shall speak about Real Madrid a little bit later, but let's start with Man United. Indeed, the Red Devils are in this particular competition after winning the Europa League title last term.
At the start of last season, it would be fair to say that the Europa League was not high on Jose Mourinho's list of priorities. However, a disappointing Premier League campaign made the Europa League the club's best route into the 2017-18 Champions League, and an impressive campaign, which ended with a 2-0 win over Ajax in the final, saw Man United lift European silverware once again.
This will be Man United's fourth appearance in UEFA Super Cup, and they have lost on two of their three previous final appearances. The English giants landed the crown in 1991, but lost to Lazio in 1999 and Zenit St Petersburg in 2008 after their Champions League successes. Real Madrid will provide the biggest of tests tonight, but Man United will be confident after a strong pre-season.
Indeed, it has been a successful pre-season for the Red Devils, who have won six of their seven friendlies this summer. They beat Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Manchester City and Real Madrid in the United States, before overcoming Valerenga and Sampdoria since returning to Europe. The team's only pre-season defeat came against Barcelona – a 1-0 loss in Maryland.
Serie A outfit Sampdoria provided a tough test for Man United last Wednesday, but Juan Mata came up with a late winner as the Red Devils recorded a 2-1 victory. Mourinho's side have since had a free week to prepare for this match, although they will have one eye on this weekend's Premier League opener at home to West Ham United. The new campaign is well and truly upon us!
As for Real Madrid, the Spanish giants have only played four times since landing last season's Champions League title with a 4-1 win over Juventus. Los Blancos lost to Man United, Manchester City and Barcelona during their pre-season tour of North America, and they only managed a penalty-shootout victory over the MLS All-Stars in their final pre-season clash on August 2.
It has been a difficult pre-season for Zidane's team, but there is no time to waste with important matches on the horizon. Indeed, after facing Man United tonight, Real Madrid will take on Barcelona in a two-legged Spanish Super Cup, with the first fixture taking place at Camp Nou on August 13. The return at the Bernabeu will then occur on August 16, four days before the new La Liga season.
August 20 brings the start of Real Madrid's La Liga season, with the Spanish champions opening away to Deportivo La Coruna. Real Madrid have not exactly been flying in pre-season, but it is difficult to criticise a team that enjoyed such a wonderful 2016-17 campaign. Despite their struggles in pre-season, Real Madrid will surely be the side to beat again in the new campaign.
Had a pretty decent time at United, all things considered!
It must be said that the temperature here will play a role in the intensity of tonight's match. It is still 30 degrees approaching kickoff, and the humidity is at around 41%. Not exactly the ideal conditions for a football match, and there have been some rumours of water breaks taking place.
Here we go then - the time for talking is almost over. It is Real Madrid against Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Cup. Will Los Blancos retain the trophy, or can Jose Mourinho get one over on his former club? No sign of the players yet as the pre-match show continues to take place!
Here come the players, plenty at stake tonight. Let's hope for a cracking tie!
KICKOFF! Man United get things underway tonight...
... Man United in red tonight, Real Madrid in all black. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, while the pitch looks lost perfect. Lukaku has already caused Real Madrid some problems after jumping with Varane, but Navas managed to just do enough.
Matic has to come across to clear ahead of Bale after some quick movement from the Welshman had caused problems inside the Man United box. Decent tempo to these early moments.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bale as the ball drops onto the Welshman's foot inside the Man United box, but his effort is just over. That was strange due to the spin on the high ball!
Good pressure from Real Madrid in these early moments, with Bale causing some problems.
Casemiro is not best pleased with Pogba after being bundled to the ground by the Frenchman. In the Premier League that might have been allowed, but the referees do not like it in Europe!
Pogba shows wonderful feet in an advanced area before feeding Lingard, but the England international is squeezed out at the final moment. Real Madrid then break down the other end with Bale as this match continues to excite in the early moments. It has been an excellent start here.
Mkhitaryan goes down just outside the Real Madrid box under pressure from Ramos, but the referee is not interested. Moments before, there was a nice link-up between Pogba and Lukaku.
Still goalless with 11 minutes on the clock, but it has been a very positive start to this match. Real Madrid were on the front foot in the early moments, but Man United have been better in the last few minutes. You do get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Ramos wants a penalty after tangling with Smalling inside the Man United box, but the referee actually gives the free kick to the English giants. A lot of pulling going on there!
A lovely ball from Matic releases Pogba in a wide position, but Varane is across to make the challenge. Lingard against Carvajal is an interesting battle down the Man United left, with both players winning a couple of battles thus far. Still a nice tempo to this match in Macedonia.
CROSSBAR! Casemiro hits the crossbar with a bullet header from a corner!
Man United immediately break through Pogba, but the Frenchman ignores his teammates and has a shot, which is blocked. Poor from the Frenchman there, he had plenty of options!
Casemiro strikes over the crossbar from just outside the Man United box.
Real Madrid are having plenty of joy when they manage to feed Bale in one-on-one situations, with Lindelof struggling to deal with the Welshman's pace and power. The better chances have fallen to Los Blancos tonight, but Man United are still carrying a big threat down the other end of the field.
Isco misses the crossbar from distance after a spell of possession from Real Madrid.
All Real Madrid at the moment as the Champions League holders boss the possession. It seems only a matter of time before the Spanish champions make the breakthrough in this match.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Man United (Casemiro)
Well, that was coming. Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 24th minute as Casemiro places the ball past De Gea after meeting a brilliant pass from Carvajal. He did look offside though!
Casemiro was indeed offside. The goal should not have stood, but Real Madrid lead here.
Man United just cannot get the ball at the moment as Real Madrid dominate the possession. Los Blancos have been pretty underwhelming in pre-season, but they have really turned up tonight.
Anywhere will do for Man United as Pogba is forced to clear into touch.
Drinks break! We have entered the first hydration break of the match. The players need it. Man United need it. The Red Devils are being utterly dominated at the moment. Time to regroup here!
I suspect the players could do with a dip at the 30-minute mark.
We are back underway here...
... Man United have a free kick in a decent area as Modric brings down Pogba.
Herrera floats a free kick towards Matic, but the pass just has too much weight. Good idea from the Spaniard, but it was just too long. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 34 minutes on the clock here.
Herrera takes the ball away from Kroos in a dangerous position, but Lukaku decides to make a movement towards it, and the flag is raised. Lukaku should have left that for Herrera!
Better from Man United as Pogba and Lukaku combine in the final third, but Real Madrid manage to clear their lines after a deflection favours the Spanish champions. Bale then breaks into the Man United box down the other end, but Darmian does very well to stop the Welshman in his tracks.
Herrera sends a long-range effort wide of the Real Madrid goal.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid deservedly lead at this stage of the contest. Importantly for Man United, the score is only 1-0. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight, especially with the talent on both benches here.
BOOKING! Lingard (Man United) is booked for a late tackle on Isco.
SAVE! De Gea is down to keep out a powerful strike from Benzema.
SAVE! Navas has to keep out a header from Lukaku after the striker had met a cross from Pogba. Better from Man United, who had enjoyed a long spell of possession in the Real Madrid half.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Casemiro in the 24th minute. There is no question that the Spanish champions deserve to lead at this stage of the match, although Casemiro's goal was offside! Much to ponder for Jose Mourinho ahead of the second period, but this game is still very much alive.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 60%, while they had seven attempts in the opening 45 minutes, two of which were on target. Man United, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their four attempts. Just the one yellow card - Lingard in the 42nd minute.
BENCH WATCH! Mata, Martial, Rashford and Fellaini are all on the Man United bench, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period as Mourinho's side look to hit back. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Asensio, Lucas and Kovacic in reserve. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo is also on the Los Blancos bench tonight, and he could be given some minutes.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... MAN UNITED SUB! Rashford has replaced Lingard at the interval.
Man United need to keep the ball better in this second period, and need to start feeding Lukaku in dangerous positions. Real Madrid are such an incredible team, however, and they have already threatened since the restart, with Bale threatening to meet a low cross from Benzema.
SAVE! Super save from De Gea to keep out a bending effort from Kroos.
CHANCE! Smalling manages to block Marcelo's effort wide of the post as Real Madrid come close once again. Man United are absolutely all over the place here.
Rashford is causing problems in the final third, but Man United need to be careful down the other end. You have to think that a second goal for Real Madrid ends this Super Cup as a contest.
One-way traffic at the moment as Real Madrid continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. Marcelo swings a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but Darmian clears the danger.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Man United (Isco)
Real Madrid double their lead early in the second period as Isco plays a one two with Bale before sliding the ball past De Gea. Isco had so much room inside the Man United box there!
CHANCES! Two wonderful chances for Man United in quick succession, but Navas keeps out a close-range header from Pogba, before Lukaku smashes the ball over from close range. Two massive chances for Man United, but Real Madrid somehow still lead 2-0 here.
MAN UNITED SUB! Fellaini replaces Herrera for Man United.
SAVE! De Gea drops down to keep out a long-range strike from Modric.
Real Madrid are not finished here as the Spanish champions continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. The team in black have showed a quite incredible level in this match.
CROSSBAR! Bale smashes the crossbar with an effort from inside the box!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Man United (Lukaku)
Man United are back in the UEFA Super Cup as Lukaku smashes the ball home from close range after Matic's effort had been saved straight into the path of the striker! Poor from Navas!
Man United have been second best for pretty much all of this match, but there is no question that Mourinho's side are in the match approaching the final 25 minutes. Be sure to stay tuned here.
Still no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but I suspect that changes will occur in the next five minutes or so. Will one of those be Ronaldo? It would be a surprise to see him tonight.
Much, much better from Man United at the moment as they start to force Real Madrid back.
Good pressure from Man United as they force the issue with a couple of crosses into the Real Madrid box, but Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. Ronaldo might well be coming on here.
Water break time! Cue the picture...
REAL MADRID SUBS! Lucas and Asensio replace Bale and Isco.
Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining here, and Real Madrid still lead 2-1. Man United are on the front foot at the moment, however, as they look to level the scores. Fellaini is up at the far post to meet a deep cross from Matic, but Ramos does very well to challenge the Belgian.
Fellaini and Ramos are still down following that coming together!
Fellaini is still down, and there is a lot of blood coming from his nose.
Fellaini is sitting up, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to continue here.
Fellaini is on his feet, and Ronaldo is about to enter the field for Real Madrid.
SAVE! Rashford breaks into the Real Madrid box, but Navas makes the save! What a chance! Brilliant football involving Fellaini and Mkhitaryan, but Navas makes the stop.
REAL MADRID SUB! Ronaldo replaces Benzema.
BOOKING! Carvajal is booked for pulling Rashford to the ground.
Man United have a free kick in a very dangerous area here...
... Rashford fires over the crossbar.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Pogba.
Man United are still very much in this match as we approach the final moments.
Ramos meets a corner from Kroos, but his effort is over the crossbar.
We are into the first of seven additional minutes at the end of the second period.
SAVE! Navas keeps out a header from Fellaini after a super cross from Valencia!
SAVE! Wonderful from De Gea to prevent Asensio from netting!
Ramos heads wide of the post from another Kroos corner.
Still time for Man United as we enter the fourth minute of additional time at the end of this match. The Red Devils are going long with their balls, but Real Madrid continue to clear their lines.
BOOKING! Rashford (Man United) is booked for a foul on Vasquez.
Real Madrid clear their lines once again after Rashford had delivered from a deep position.
Valencia trips Ronaldo and Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area...
... Ronaldo smashes the ball into the stands.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid landing the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 win over Man United. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining fixture from Macedonia. Until next time!
