Madrid recover to win Super Cup
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Article summary
Goals from Raúl, Ronaldo and David Beckham ensured Spanish Super Cup victory for Real Madrid CF.
Article body
Madrid came good
Primera División champions Madrid failed to impress at Son Moix on Sunday in this encounter between league and cup winners, going down 2-1 after goals from Dutch striker Arnold Bruggink and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o. However Carlos Queiroz's side came good in front of their home fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Raúl opener
Madrid captain Raúl González put the home team ahead on the cusp of half-time with a simple tap-in after Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Franco had spilled a fierce shot from French international Zinedine Zidane.
Ronaldo second
Ronaldo added the second eight minutes after the break, outmanoeuvring his marker as he controlled a fine pass from Luis Figo and drilling in a well-taken shot from the edge of the box.
Beckham header
Summer signing David Beckham, whose first touch of the ball was met with a huge cheer by the home fans, then brought the 55,000 crowd to their feet when he rounded off proceedings by heading into an open net after a looping cross from Ronaldo in the 73rd minute.
Casillas heroics
A below-par Mallorca came to life midway through the second half, when Bruggink and midfielder Ariel Ibagaza were denied by fingertip saves from the excellent Iker Casillas.