SPANISH SUPERCUP: REAL MADRID – SEVILLA (3-5)

Sevilla were in control, but just before half-time Madrid pulled another one back against the run of play through a header from Cannavaro and a lapse of concentration from the Sevilla defence. The break arrived with the game poised at 3-2.

At the restart Sevilla dropped in intensity. It was Madrid who had to come out on the attack, and as they came forward, the Andalusians remained solid at the back at all times. Most of the danger came in the air from the left hand side, and they came close, sometimes lacking accuracy, other times denied by Palop’s brilliance. Juande Ramos’s side did not lose their nerve, showing great resilience at the back, with a spectacular performance from Fazio.

Sevilla gave Madrid a footballing lesson, with an astonishing performance in the first half

It was an uglier second half. There was not much football to speak of, since whichever team was on the attack tended to opt for a high ball. Indeed, Sergio Ramos scored the equaliser from a set piece to make it 3-3 with 12 minutes to go, leaving Schuster’s side needing two goals to complete the comeback, but Sevilla’s superiority shone through. Dani Alves and Navas put together one of their typical moves on the right-hand side before the Brazilian put the ball in for Kanouté, who beat Pepe and Casillas to send the ball into the net, sealing a match which would get even better.

The match ended with the stands gradually emptying, with Sevilla dancing round Madrid, with Juande Ramos’s side inching ever closer to yet another title, this time against Real Madrid, with two clear victories, writing another glorious chapter in the club’s history. Pepe was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 90th minute. Kanouté completed an unforgettable hat-trick, and Sevilla completed another historic night.