Thibaut Courtois was the star for Real Madrid as they beat Valencia 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Riyadh on Wednesday to reach the Spanish Super Cup final.
The reigning Super Cup champions were below their best again amid a difficult start to 2023, but Courtois excelled, making crucial saves and then decisively denying Jose Gaya in the shootout after extra-time.
Madrid will go on to play either Barcelona or Real Betis, who play Thursday, in Sunday’s final.
La Liga champions Madrid, facing the Spanish Cup runners-up, had chances to win the game within 90 minutes but needed Courtois to make a stunning reflex save from Fran Perez in extra-time.
Karim Benzema had sent Madrid ahead from the penalty spot but GennaroGattuso’s side levelled at the start of the second half through Samuel Lino.
“It was a difficult game without much rhythm from either team, it was hard for us, but the important thing is that we’re in the final and going for another trophy,” Marco Asensio told Movistar.
“We had set up to go into the second half with intensity and the goal set us back. The ball didn’t go in (for us) but we are happy and where we want to be.”
The Spanish Super Cup was first held in Saudi Arabia in 2020 in the current “final four” format – and will remain in the country until at least 2029, despite criticism over the hosts’ human rights record.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was without recently injured duo AurelienTchouameni and David Alaba, started with Nacho at left-back and brought FedeValverde into the midfield trio.
Los Blancos started strongly, with Benzema producing a glorious dribble, but CenkOzkacar did well to cut him off and block the French striker’s shot.
Courtois kept out EdinsonCavani’s header and then did enough to put off Toni Lato, who burst in from the right and appealed in vain for a penalty when he slipped.
Madrid took the lead shortly before half-time, when Eder Militao played a fine ball over the top to send Benzema through.
The forward was clumsily felled in the area by ErayComert and tucked away the resulting penalty, sending Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way.
