Atletico Madrid 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Goals: Simón (CSC, 62^and) for the Colchoneros // Álvarez (77^and), N.Williams (81^and) for Leones

In a closed-door atmosphere with an audience that mostly skipped this second Spanish Super Cup semi-final, the few insults in Spanish perfectly audible will undoubtedly be the most striking. This dull game between two teams that adhere to the same perception of football will not have not been a great ad for the Spanish Federation and its competition in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting had however started very strongly with a goal from João Félix from the 14th^and second, flagged offside immediately. He will take his chance a second time in the third minute on a new fine pass from Thomas Lemar, but the Portuguese sends his shot into the empty stands of King Fahd Stadium. The Athletic players respond well and it will take a very big save from Jan Oblak on his line to intervene against Iñaki Williams. Then there were another thirty minutes and two penalties for pisoton in the box that could have been whistled, one each.

The second half could only have been better, but it took an own goal gag from Unai Simón on a header from João Félix for the players to come back to life (1-0, 62^and). A minute later, Jan Oblak was forced to make two exceptional saves from a header from Íñigo Martínez and a strike from Iñaki Williams to avoid the equalizer. But the Slovenian goalkeeper can’t do anything against Yeray Álvarez, guilty on the first goal, who jumps higher than everyone on a very nice corner from Iker Munian and comes to put his people back in the race (1-1, 77^and). After breaking Jan Oblak’s wrist, Nico Williams will drive the point home five minutes later with a cross shot on a new set piece (1-2, 81^and). The 19-year-old gives victory to Athletic Club and the opportunity for his team to defend their title in the Spanish Super Cup final Sunday.

It was well worth a hug from big brother!

Atletico de Madrid (3-1-4-2) : Oblak – Vrsaljko, Giménez (expulsion, 90^and+4), Hermoso – Kondogbia (De Paul, 51^and) – Llorente (Lodi, 46^and), Koke, Lemar (Cunha, 85^and), Carrasco – Correa (Suárez, 71^and) Felix. Coach: Diego Simeone

Athletic Bilbao (4-4-2): Simón – de Marcos, Álvarez, Martínez, Balenziaga (Berchiche, 75^and) – Berenguer (Williams, 70^and), Garcia, Zarraga (Vesga, 70^and), Muniain – Sancet (García, 70^and), Williams. Coach: Marcelino
AEC