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Real Madrid beat Manchester United 2-1 Tuesday, winning the European Super Cup for the fourth time, and becoming the first team to retain the trophy since AC Milan in 1990.
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Cristiano Ronaldo watched most of the end-to-end action from the bench, but Madrid dominated the game from the start.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro helped Madrid take the lead in the 24th minute with a left-foot strike midway.
In the 52nd, Isco extended the lead for the European champions with a shot after Gareth Bale helped him run through United’s defense.
United's new striker Romelu Lukaku got his first competitive goal for the club to reduce the deficit just past the hour, beating Keylor Navas after the goalkeeper had blocked a powerful shot from Nemanja Matic.
United matched Madrid for pace but lacked the finish to turn the match around. Both Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba missed glaring second-half chances, failing to score in face of Navas.
“Key to winning this game was two things we do well,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “We hold and control well, and we finish our chances at the right moment.
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“The second half was not great, but the first half was spectacular. We have talented players who want to win every challenge. That how they want to grow as players.”
The Super Cup pitches the previous season’s Champions League winners against the Europa League holders.
It was Zidane’s second consecutive Super Cup title. For United coach Jose Mourinho, it was a third failed attempt to add the trophy to his collection.
"We were playing a team full of fantastic players but we discussed (contested) the result until almost the end. We gave them a fight but have reasons to leave optimistic and proud," Mourinho said.
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