RIYADH — Real Madrid have won the first title of the 2021/22 Spanish football season, with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema goals and a Thibaut Courtois penalty save seeing them defeat Athletic Club 2-0 in Saudi Arabia to lift the Supercopa de Espana.

After overcoming Barcelona in their semi-final, Los Blancos dominated last season's Supercopa winners from start to finish at the King Fahd Stadium.

Rodrygo was given the start to replace the injured Marco Asensio and the Brazilian made the most of his opportunity. From the very first minute, he was lively and caused Mikel Balenziaga problems.

The winger teed up Benzema for a shot that flashed just wide, before, in the 37th minute, committing multiple red-and-white-shirted defenders to set up Modric for a first-time finish from the edge of the area. That was the Croatian's first goal of the season and put Real Madrid in control of the final. — Agencies