by Karim Benzema moved into second place in Real Madrid’s all-time goalscoring charts as Los Blancos followed up May’s Champions League triumph by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the Super Cup.
David Alaba volleyed home as Eintracht failed to clear a first-half corner to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men the lead in Helsinki, before Benzema fired past Kevin Trapp 20 minutes after the break to seal victory.
Benzema’s efforts took him to 324 goals in all competitions for Madrid, putting him one ahead of legendary Spain striker Raul and only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (450).
After getting off to a brilliant start, Europa League winners Eintracht were ultimately runners-up as Madrid cruised to victory, providing a reminder of their nous on the European stage at the start of the new season.
Eintracht missed the first clear chance when Daichi Kamada forced Thibaut Courtois into a superb one-on-one save after 14 minutes, before Tuta denied Vinicius Junior with an incredible goal-line block two minutes later.
Vinicius again went close when Trapp tipped his low effort around the post after 36 minutes, but Madrid broke the deadlock from the resulting corner as Casemiro headed down for Alaba to convert into a gaping net.
Benzema hit a fierce volley into the bottom left corner as Madrid ended the first half on top, before Trapp made a reflex save from Vinicius’ left-footed strike 10 minutes after the break.
As Madrid established greater control, Casemiro rattled the crossbar with a sweet left-footed strike from range before Courtois made a routine save as Ansgar Knauff headed a rare Eintracht foray.
But Benzema, the outstanding candidate for the Ballon d’Or, was determined to have the last word, drilling Vinicius’ cut-back under Trapp to ensure LaLiga champions Madrid would take another piece of silverware back to the Spanish capital.
What does that mean? Another title for the continental kings Madrid
Madrid won the Super Cup for the fifth time on Wednesday, atoning for a memorable defeat in their last appearance in the competition (4-2 against Atletico Madrid in 2018).
The results mean the Champions League holders have won nine of the last 10 editions, while the Spanish giants have won 17 of their last 19 one-legged finals.
Karim the dream
Benzema’s incredible return of 15 Champions League goals helped Madrid to their 14th European crown last season and the France star continued where he left off to steal the headlines in Finland.
Only Ronaldo has now surpassed Benzema in the famous white shirt, while his quest to be named the world’s best player has gone from strength to strength.
Don Carlo reigns again
Ancelotti became the first manager to win four European Cup/Champions League titles with May’s hard-fought final victory over Liverpool, and his latest success saw him become the Super Cup’s most decorated boss.
His fourth triumph in the competition (having also won with Milan in 2003 and 2007 and Madrid in 2014) took him one clear of Pep Guardiola.
What will be next?
Madrid begin their defense of their LaLiga title at Almeria on Sunday, while Frankfurt travel to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
