Real Madrid reached the Spanish Super Cup final after a hard-fought 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at King Abdullah Sports City, also known as Alinma Bank Stadium, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The result sets up an El Clásico final against Barcelona on Sunday. It also keeps Xabi Alonso’s team in the hunt for their first trophy of the year, and a chance to answer last season’s painful 5–2 loss to Barcelona in the same showpiece.

Barcelona, the reigning LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa champions, booked their place with a 5–0 win over Athletic Club in the first semifinal. So Sunday’s final delivers what the format promised: Spain’s biggest rivalry, exported to Jeddah.

Valverde’s rocket sets the tone in Jeddah

Madrid struck immediately. After Jude Bellingham was fouled, Federico Valverde stood over a free kick from 30–35 yards and hit a thunderbolt that flew into the top corner in just the second minute. Jan Oblak could only watch it rocket past. It was the kind of goal that drains the air from a stadium, and it gave Madrid control before the game even settled.

The Uruguayan midfielder’s fast start backed up his coach’s words. Xabi Alonso had warned before the match that Atlético would see the best of this Madrid side. Valverde delivered on that promise right away. By full time, he was named Man of the Match by Flashscore — a nod to his early strike and all-round drive.

“That Valverde missile changes everything; it’s a goal you feel for 90 minutes.”

Second-half swings: Rodrygo, then Sørloth

Madrid went into halftime 1–0 up, and they doubled their lead soon after the restart. Within 10 minutes of the second half, Rodrygo collected a pass from Valverde, glided past a weak challenge, and finished past Oblak. At 2–0, it looked like Madrid had room to breathe.

But Atlético answered quickly. Just three minutes later, Alexander Sørloth climbed highest in the six-yard box to head in a teasing cross from Giuliano Simeone, cutting the deficit to 2–1. That goal lit a fire under Diego Simeone’s men. They pushed, they asked questions, and they found good positions, but they could not find the equalizer before the final whistle.

Madrid, meanwhile, managed the tension. They leaned on their structure and game management to see it out in regulation, which matters even more in this competition: there is no extra time in the Super Cup. If it’s level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties. Madrid made sure it never got to that point.

“Atleti can’t keep falling at the semi stage — that’s three straight exits.”

Tactical snapshots: 4-2-3-1 meets 4-4-2

Alonso’s Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, a system that gives balance behind their attackers and lets Valverde and others drive the game from midfield. Atlético used a 4-4-2, with their usual focus on compact lines and quick transitions. In tight cup ties like this, small details turn the dial: a foul won by Bellingham in a dangerous area, a perfect strike from range, a brave header inside the six-yard box.

Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak are elite goalkeepers, and both were central to the story even without headline saves. Their presence shapes how each team defends space and takes risks. Still, with no extra time in this tournament, both sides knew the margins were razor thin. Madrid’s fast start and calm finish made the difference.

“El Clásico again — let’s see what Alonso learned from last year’s 5–2.”

Format, stakes and money: why this Super Cup matters

The Spanish Super Cup now runs as a four-team event in Saudi Arabia, a format introduced after the move to the region in 2019. This year’s field featured Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Athletic Club. Because Barcelona won both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey last season, Real Madrid (runners-up in both), Atlético (third in LaLiga), and Athletic (fourth) filled the remaining places.

There is also a financial edge. The winner earns €2 million, the runner-up €1.4 million, and the other two teams receive €800,000 each. It is not life-changing money for these giants, but it adds weight and urgency, especially this early in the calendar year.

For Madrid, the stakes go beyond the purse. They are 13-time Supercopa de España winners and are chasing their first trophy of 2026 under Alonso. For Barcelona, this is a chance to back up last season’s 5–2 win over Madrid in the final and to keep their hands on a title they already hold.

What it means for both teams

Madrid’s progress sets up the headline clash everyone expected. They have momentum, a match-winner in Valverde, and a forward line that can hurt any defense when the space opens. Rodrygo’s sharp finish is a timely reminder of that. Valverde’s Man of the Match display underlines how important his energy and shooting can be in one-off games.

Atlético will leave with frustration. This is their third straight exit at the semifinal stage of the Super Cup. Sørloth’s header showed their threat, and they forced a tense finish, but the lack of a second goal again proved costly. For Diego Simeone, the message is clear: the performance was close, but in cup football, the result is what travels.

El Clásico countdown: Sunday in Jeddah

The final is set for Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET, back at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Barcelona arrive after a 5–0 statement win over Athletic. Madrid arrive with a measured 2–1 derby victory and a chance to flip last season’s script.

There will be no extra time if it’s level after 90 minutes. It goes straight to penalties, which adds pressure to start fast — and to finish stronger. Given what we saw from Valverde, Rodrygo, and Sørloth, expect another decisive moment to come early, or very late.

It’s an El Clásico for the first trophy of 2026. Simple stakes, big names, and one more night in Jeddah to decide it.