Real Madrid Win 5th UEFA Super Cup With 2-0 Win Over Frankfurt

David Alaba's tap-in and Karim Benzema's shot were crucial in Real Madrid's win over Eintracht Frankfurt to claim their fifth UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium.

The Europa League winners, Frankfurt started strongly with their best chance on the night coming 14 minutes into the match as a long pass found Daichi Kamada but a brilliant save by Thibaut Courtois helped Madrid maintain parity.

While Frankfurt were dangerous, particularly in the first half, Madrid's experience and individual quality saw them through, as it did so often in their victorious 2021-22 Champions League campaign.

Madrid almost got their first, when Benzema released Vinicius to curl past Kevin Trapp in the penalty box, only for Tuta to clear the ball off the line.

With Madrid dominating possession, Frankfurt mounted several counter-attacks until Madrid launched a counter of their own in the 37th minute.

A diving Trapp got his fingertips to a goal-bound shot by Vinicius, pushing the ball out for a corner.

German goalkeeper Trapp was a very important figure for Frankfurt as he sucked in a lot of dangerous balls from Real Madrid attackers.

But after the first goal, Madrid stepped it up a gear and should have gone 2-0 up, with Benzema uncharacteristically dragging the ball wide with the goal begging in the 41st minute.

"It wasn't an easy game, they were entrenched in their own half, but we managed to score and we controlled it well afterwards," Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar TV.

"At the start of the season, you can't expect the team to be already at 100 per cent, but we won and we have started the season well. I believe it can help us achieve better results and winning helps motivate the players."

It was a particularly memorable evening for veteran French striker Benzema whose goal took him to 324 for the Spanish side, one more than Raul.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 450, has more Real goals than Benzema.

"Now he's in line for the Ballon d'Or. Is there any doubt? For me, no," added Ancelotti.

Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode lamented his side's failures to take their opportunities.

"Against the Champions League winners, you have to take your chances. We didn't take ours in the decisive moments," he told the press.

The match also highlighted the growing gap between the Champions League and Europa League competitions, with Madrid being the ninth Champions League team to win the competition in the past 10 years.

Only city rivals Atletico Madrid have won the Super Cup when qualifying via a Europa League win in the past decade, having done so by beating Real in the 2018 edition.