At 23:00 Lithuanian time in the capital of Catalonia, the Spanish Supercup kicked off, with the two most titled clubs in the world facing each other.
The first match took place at the "Camp Nou" stadium, where "Barcelona" tried to prove their superiority against Madrid's "Real". The match was intense - controversial referee decisions, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal and removal from the field crowned the "white" victory with a score of 1-3.
Barcelona players started the match more actively, dominating with the ball and dictating conditions on the opponents' side of the field. However, neither the Catalans nor the visitors from Madrid were able to create serious chances.
Emotions started to boil from the beginning of the match, and the referee showed as many as five yellow cards in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, the real excitement began, and the "Camp Nou" stadium saw four goals, though only one brought joy. In the 50th minute, the "white" team took the lead - after a sharp pass from Marcelo, Gerard Pique pushed the ball into his own net.
"Real" could have scored another goal soon after, when Dani Carvajal had a 100% chance, but Jordi Alba miraculously cleared the ball from the goal line.
A lot of attention was drawn to the referee, who often noted fouls in controversial episodes. In the 77th minute, he decided to award a penalty kick, which was somewhat questionable, earned by Luis Suarez. Lionel Messi took advantage of the opportunity and equalized the score.
However, the visitors from Madrid did not falter, and in the 80th minute, after an individual run, Cristiano Ronaldo, who appeared on the field in the 58th minute after a substitution, scored a fantastic goal. The Portuguese got past G. Pique and skillfully put "Real" in front.
C. Ronaldo celebrated the goal emotionally and received a yellow card for taking off his jersey. The episode in the 82nd minute cost him dearly - the same referee pointed to the penalty spot for C. Ronaldo's simulation in the penalty area and, showing the second yellow card, sent him off the field.
C. Ronaldo could not believe the referee's decision and angrily pushed him. The episode raised many doubts - although Samuel Umtiti nudged the Portuguese inadvertently, it was impossible to interpret the situation as purely theatrical.
"Real" had to play with ten men, but that did not stop Zinedine Zidane's team - in the 90th minute, the young Marco Asensio scored an even more amazing goal with a powerful shot. The final result was 1-3.
The return leg for the Supercup trophy will move to the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium next Wednesday.
Result:
"Barcelona" 1 - 3 "Real Madrid"
50' [0 - 1] G. Pique (own goal)
76' [1 - 1] L. Messi (penalty)
80' [1 - 2] C. Ronaldo
90' [1 - 3] M. Asensio
82' C. Ronaldo (Real) sent off
Starting lineups:
"Barcelona": Ter Stegen; Aleix Vidal, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Deulofeu
Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Denis, Mascherano, Paco Alcacer, Lucas Digne, Sergi Roberto
"Real": Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Mateo Kovačič, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Isco; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema
Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Ronaldo, Theo Hernandez, Lucas V, Asensio, Ceballos
