New signing James Rodriguez scored his first goal for Real Madrid but a late Raul Garcia equaliser for Atletico Madrid saw the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup finish 1-1.
Former Monaco striker Rodriguez, the Golden Boot winner at this summer’s World Cup, netted in the 80th minute.
But Garcia scrambled the ball home from a corner as the La Liga champions levelled before Friday’s second leg.
Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo came off at half-time with a suspected back injury.
The world player of the year was replaced by Rodriguez as the Colombia international made his first appearance at the Bernabeu Stadium, where supporters had paid tribute to club legend Alfredo Di Stefano before kick-off.
And the Champions League winners, who added the Uefa Super Cup to their collection by beating Sevilla in Cardiff last week, were a more potent force after the break.
Gareth Bale twice went close for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, first seeing an angled drive saved by Miguel Angel Moya and then testing the keeper again with a fiercely struck free-kick.
Moya was unable to hold the Welshman’s effort but new Real signing Toni Kroos was unable to convert the rebound.
However, World Cup winner Kroos was involved in the opening goal, the Germany international playing in Daniel Carvajal to cross low into the box.
Karim Benzema’s shot was then blocked but the ball fell for Rodriguez, who steered it home from eight yards out on 80 minutes.
That looked likely to give Real the advantage going into the return leg at the Vicente Calderon stadium but Atletico again showed their resilience to hit back.
Diego Simeone’s side, who have lost the services of Diego Costa,Filipe Luis, David Villa and Thibaut Courtois since their defeat by Real in the Champions League final, were unbeaten against both Real and Barcelona last season.
And they extended that record when Garcia flicked the ball past Iker Casillas from inside the six-yard box.
Cristiano Ronaldo played only the first 45 minutes before going off with a suspected back injury to be replaced by James Rodriguez
Manager Carlo Ancelotti decided not to take any chances on Ronaldo’s fitness
James Rodriguez replaced Ronaldo and enjoyed a near-perfect debut with his first goal for the club
Gareth Bale completed the 90 minutes for the Champions League winners and twice went close to scoring
Raul Garcia’s away goal gave Atletico a possible edge going into Friday’s second leg
–
Source: BBC Sport
New signing James Rodriguez scored his first goal for Real Madrid but a late Raul Garcia equaliser for Atletico Madrid saw the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup finish 1-1.
Former Monaco striker Rodriguez, the Golden Boot winner at this summer’s World Cup, netted in the 80th minute.
But Garcia scrambled the ball home from a corner as the La Liga champions levelled before Friday’s second leg.
Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo came off at half-time with a suspected back injury.
The world player of the year was replaced by Rodriguez as the Colombia international made his first appearance at the Bernabeu Stadium, where supporters had paid tribute to club legend Alfredo Di Stefano before kick-off.
And the Champions League winners, who added the Uefa Super Cup to their collection by beating Sevilla in Cardiff last week, were a more potent force after the break.
Gareth Bale twice went close for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, first seeing an angled drive saved by Miguel Angel Moya and then testing the keeper again with a fiercely struck free-kick.
Moya was unable to hold the Welshman’s effort but new Real signing Toni Kroos was unable to convert the rebound.
However, World Cup winner Kroos was involved in the opening goal, the Germany international playing in Daniel Carvajal to cross low into the box.
Karim Benzema’s shot was then blocked but the ball fell for Rodriguez, who steered it home from eight yards out on 80 minutes.
That looked likely to give Real the advantage going into the return leg at the Vicente Calderon stadium but Atletico again showed their resilience to hit back.
Diego Simeone’s side, who have lost the services of Diego Costa,Filipe Luis, David Villa and Thibaut Courtois since their defeat by Real in the Champions League final, were unbeaten against both Real and Barcelona last season.
And they extended that record when Garcia flicked the ball past Iker Casillas from inside the six-yard box.
Cristiano Ronaldo played only the first 45 minutes before going off with a suspected back injury to be replaced by James Rodriguez
Manager Carlo Ancelotti decided not to take any chances on Ronaldo’s fitness
James Rodriguez replaced Ronaldo and enjoyed a near-perfect debut with his first goal for the club
Gareth Bale completed the 90 minutes for the Champions League winners and twice went close to scoring
Raul Garcia’s away goal gave Atletico a possible edge going into Friday’s second leg
–
Source: BBC Sport