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Real Madrid vs. Valencia face off at the King Fahd Stadium for the first semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup: the other is defined by Barcelona vs. Real Betis. As for this match, the Merengues have already taken the first step towards reaching the final, which will be played on Sunday in Arabia, thanks to Karim Benzema's goal.
When the team led by Carlo Ancelotti needed it the most (Valencia had found a way to stop them on the field), the French forward created space to enter the opponent's area, after a great pass from Éder Militao, and defender Eray Cömert arrived late trying to take the ball away from him and fouled him.
Referee Alejandro Hernández did not hesitate to award the penalty: Cömert hit Benzema top and bottom. Then, the Frenchman stood up from the twelve-yard spot and without looking at Giorgi Mamardashvili, he put it inside the goal to dream of the first title of 2023.
The start of the season for Benzema was not what he expected. After a perfect year that ended with the Ballon d'Or, the Real Madrid striker has been involved in injuries and controversies at the beginning of this campaign.
Last season, he had only missed nine games, compared to the ten he has been absent in the start of the 2022/23 season. That's why he hopes to redirect his future in the Super Cup, where he has already scored the first goal for his team and promises many more in the second half.
Cabe destacar que la semifinal es a partido único. En caso de un empate, primero habrá una prórroga de 30 minutos, con dos partes de 15 minutos. Mientras que si mantiene la paridad en la prórroga, el partido se decidirá con una tanda penaltis.
Real Madrid vs. Valencia: what's coming in the Super Cup
The Spanish Super Cup will repeat the same format as in recent years. First, the two semifinals will be played, and then the final will be played to crown this year's champion.
As for the game, the winner of the Real Madrid vs. Valencia semifinal will stay in Saudi Arabia to play the final of the tournament, which will be played on Sunday, January 15th, starting at 1:30 PM (Peruvian time). Their opponent will come from the clash between Barcelona, who participates in the tournament for being the second classified in LaLiga Santander, and Real Betis, the reigning champion of the Copa del Rey.
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