Sevilla claim first ever Spanish Super Cup in Madrid

By DPA

Madrid : Sevilla claimed their first-ever Spanish Super Cup in fine style, winning 5-3 at league champions Real Madrid.


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The high-scoring win Sunday on Real’s home turf at the Estadio Bernabeu gives Sevilla the trophy – played between cup winners and league champions – on a 6-3 aggregate, after they had won 1-0 eight days earlier in Seville.

This is Sevilla’s fifth trophy in 15 months, the most successful spell in the club’s 102-year history.

Frederic Kanoute led Sevilla to triumph with three goals, and Brazilian midfielder Renato scored two more.

Real captain Raul Gonzalez congratulated Sevilla and then bemoaned his team’s “lack of sharpness in both penalty areas”.

Real’s sixth defeat in nine pre-season matches will increase the pressure on new coach Bernd Schuster, who will have to work hard to shore up a leaking defence.

Renato put Sevilla ahead from close range in the 16th minute after the Real defence had made a mess of a Duda free-kick. Seven minutes later, newboy Royston Drenthe levelled for the hosts with a 25-yard drive that glanced in off the crossbar.

Renato restored Sevilla’s lead in the 28th minute when he headed in a clever centre from the dangerous Duda.

In the 37th minute, Kanoute made it 3-1 for Sevilla scoring from the penalty spot, after a clumsy handball by new Real defender Pepe.

Fabio Cannavaro reduced arrears for Real by heading in a free-kick just before half-time.

Sergio Ramos gave Real late hope by making it 3-3 in the 78 th minute with a powerful header.

Sevilla restored their lead just three minutes later as Kanoute turned in a centre from indefatigable right-back Daniel Alves, who might have been playing his last game for the Andalusians.

Kanoute completed the rout in injury time by putting away a centre from Enzo Maresca.

The stirring win will put Sevilla in good heart ahead of their return match at AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers – and ahead of their European Super Cup clash against AC Milan.

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