Real Madrid proved too good for Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup final on Tuesday night, with the La Liga giants securing a well-deserved 2-1 win in a sweltering Skopje.
The Red Devils started with summer-signings Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof all lining up alongside one another.
However, Madrid were far superior in the first period, with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro opening the scoring on 24 minutes, after having already hit the bar earlier on.
Casemiro’s goal against Manchester United – what an assist by Carvajal pic.twitter.com/0hVzAG8NQr
— SB (@Realmadridplace) August 8, 2017
Soon after the break, the Spaniards went 2-0 up courtesy of a superb Isco goal, after a nice one-two with Gareth Bale, a player strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.
The game, played in temperatures over 30c and oppressive humidity due to the ‘Lucifer’ heatwave enveloping Macedonia, was stopped twice for planned drinks breaks.
United tried to get back into the game and should’ve scored on 55 minutes, only for Lukaku to blaze over the bar from six yards out.
Romelu Lukaku has a glorious chance to pull one level for Manchester United but blazes his shot over the bar. pic.twitter.com/oYfmfa8rRg
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 8, 2017
Belgian hitman Lukaku did eventually get on scoresheet, netting from close range just after the hour-mark.
His first Man Utd goal! 🔴⚽️
Moments after missing a sitter, Romelu Lukaku gets himself on the scoresheet… pic.twitter.com/0300xcsJSO
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 8, 2017
Marcus Rashford then fired wide while sub Cristiano Ronaldo headed wide late on.
The game would end in a thoroughly deserved win for Zinedine Zidane’s side which sees them become the first side to retain the Super Cup since 1990.
As for Jose Mourinho, he’ll be hoping his expensively put together side can gel quickly ahead of the new Premier League season.