Real Madrid defeated Valencia in a Supercopa de Espana semi final shootout, 4-3, after a lackluster 1-1 tie after extra time on Wednesday. Eray Comert, who gave up the penalty for Benzema's first-half goal, and Jose Gaya both missed from 12 yards as Carlo Ancelotti's team struggled in Riyadh.
Prior to Giorgi Mamardashvili's three excellent extra-time saves, Valencia had been level thanks to Samuel Lino's goal in the 46th minute. However, Madrid advanced thanks to Comert's overshot and Thibaut Courtois's save on Gaya.
When Los Blancos take on the victors of the LaLiga leaders Barcelona and Real Betis' semi-final on Thursday, they will be attempting to win their third Supercopa in the previous four seasons. After Rodrygo missed a good chance in the 10th minute, Benzema and Federico Valverde both just missed the target during a one-sided opening.
Madrid gained the advantage thanks to an unnecessary Comert behind-the-back lunge on Benzema inside the box; the striker then converted the resulting penalty kick into the bottom-right corner.
After the break, Lino capitalized on Lucas Vazquez's lax marking by turning in Toni Lato's right-wing cross and beating Courtois with a right-footed shot.
After Mamardashvili skillfully stopped Vinicius Junior from scoring with a golden opportunity after Valverde's precise center, Benzema headed narrowly wide to send the game into overtime. Vinicius and Toni Kroos were stopped twice impressively by Mamardashvili, and Courtois then vitally stopped Fran Perez to force penalties.
After Comert whipped over while trying to find the top-left corner, Luka Modric scored to put Madrid in control. Courtois then made a save from Gaya, Valencia's fifth taker, to keep Los Blancos on track for the Supercopa.
MADRID SHOULD BE ON GUARD DESPITE PROGRESS.
Madrid has won the Supercopa in three of the past five seasons and has a total of 12 titles, so their progression, if in an unsatisfactory manner, will not be shocking.
Valencia, who have played the most semi-finals in the competition without making it to the final (two), after also losing to Madrid in 2020, will find little solace in the fact that Los Blancos were mostly muted by Gennaro Gattuso's lively side. Despite being only 90 minutes away from their first season-opening victory, Ancelotti will still have plenty to be desired.
ANOTHER RECORD IS SET BY BENZEMA.
After Lionel Messi of Barcelona from 2010 to 2012, Benzema is the second player in Supercopa history to score five goals in five straight games (eight goals in five successive games).
The 35-year-old striker scored in yet another Madrid playoff match, annoying Comert and Cenk Ozkacar repeatedly.
UNGAINLY COMERT
Prior to Comert's stupid backwards lunge on Benzema, Valencia had withstood the early Madrid onslaught; the defender was fortunate to escape punishment for preventing a goal-scoring opportunity.
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