A Raul Garcia equaliser two minutes from time denied James Rodriguez a dream home debut for Real Madrid as Atletico Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday. Rodriguez had surprisingly started on the bench, but replaced Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time when the World Player of the Year was substituted due to a muscle injury.
Colombian World Cup star Rodriguez opened the scoring with his first goal for Real 10 minutes from time. However, Atletico got a precious away goal to take into the return leg at the Vicente Calderon on Friday when Garcia flicked home a late corner from close range. Despite leaving Rodriguez and Angel di Maria on the bench from the off, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti saw his side dominate possession in the opening 45 minutes against a typically physical Atletico side.
However, Real created precious little in front of goal and it was Atletico who had better chances in the first-half. With Rodriguez on for the stricken Ronaldo, Real continued to push in search of the winner and thought they had it on 80 minutes when Rodriguez fired home with the aid of a deflection off Cristian Ansaldi. But Atletico responded soon as an Garcia flicked home Koke’s corner.
Colombian World Cup star Rodriguez opened the scoring with his first goal for Real 10 minutes from time. However, Atletico got a precious away goal to take into the return leg at the Vicente Calderon on Friday when Garcia flicked home a late corner from close range. Despite leaving Rodriguez and Angel di Maria on the bench from the off, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti saw his side dominate possession in the opening 45 minutes against a typically physical Atletico side.
However, Real created precious little in front of goal and it was Atletico who had better chances in the first-half. With Rodriguez on for the stricken Ronaldo, Real continued to push in search of the winner and thought they had it on 80 minutes when Rodriguez fired home with the aid of a deflection off Cristian Ansaldi. But Atletico responded soon as an Garcia flicked home Koke’s corner.