Karim Benzema became Real Madrid’s second top scorer as his goal helped secure a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Real equaled a record in Helsinki, winning the trophy for the fifth time to join Milan and Barcelona for the highest total.
David Alaba gave Real the lead in the first half, slotting home after Casemiro had headed the ball in from a few yards out.
Real remained in control after the break, forcing another fine save from Kevin Trapp in the 55th minute, denying a deflected shot from Vinícius Junior before Casemiro rattled the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box two minutes later .
The pressure eventually paid off as Vinicius combined with Benzema (the pair scored a combined 111 goals for the club last season) and the French striker finished to kill any lingering Eintracht hopes of a first Super Cup title.
The goal moved Benzema above Raúl on the club’s all-time goalscoring list with 324. Cristiano Ronaldo remains Madrid’s all-time top scorer with 450. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti had suggested this week it was possible to compete. the six competitions that are in this season and has been able to debut the new signings Antonio Rüdiger and Aurelien Tchouaméni.
“After scoring the first we had more control and we didn’t take risks, we didn’t play with super intensity but it was good control,” Ancelotti said. “They are used to playing together, they are comfortable, they know each other. It’s easy to play together, find the right moment in the game. We didn’t have a spectacular game, but we were very solid. Our usual Eintracht was very closed and it was difficult for us to find our rhythm, but then we did well. It is difficult at the beginning of the season to be in top form, but now we have won to start the season well.”
The Italian, who had named the same starting eleven that started their European Cup final win in Paris in May, had particular praise for captain Benzema, who was top scorer in last season’s Champions League.
“He’s a very important player, a team leader,” he said. “If we are here it is mainly because of his merits, he has scored many goals, he finished the season well, he scored a goal today and now he is going to the Ballon d’Or”.