Kylian Mbappe scored on his Real Madrid debut to fire his new side to UEFA Super Cup glory.
The Frenchman was on target is Los Blancos’ 2-0 victory over Europa League winners Atalanta on Wednesday night at the National Stadium in Warsaw.
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The win means that Real have created history by becoming the first team to lift the UEFA Super Cup on six occasions.
After a close first half in Poland, the Spanish side broke the deadlock in the 59th minute through midfielder Federico Valverde.
The Uruguay international had the simple task of tapping home into an empty net after being picked out by Vinicius Jr.
And in the 68th minute, Mbappe got the goal he desperately craved after latching onto Jude Bellingham’s pass.
The England star, who won the man of the match award, found the run of the ex-Paris Saint-Germain striker, who in turn rifled home into the top right corner from the penalty spot.
In doing so, Mbappe has become the first Real Madrid player to score on their debut since Bellingham in August 2023.
And he is the first to open their account on their debut in the Super Cup since Marco Asensio in 2016.
Speaking after the final whistle, a delighted Mbappe said: “Everyone knows how much playing for Real Madrid means to me. It just feels incredible!”
He also stated: “You say Real Madrid, you say trophies. It’s the best club in the world.”
Meanwhile Bellingham has now provided an assist for Real in each of their three final victories following their triumphs in the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
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It means the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder is the first Real star to achieve the feat in a decade.
And incredibly, having added the UEFA Super Cup to his ever-growing trophy cabinet – along with winning the LaLiga title – Bellingham averages a trophy every three months for Madrid.
Bellingham was deployed in a box-to-box role against Atalanta, as opposed to the No10 position he played in last term.
His dazzling displays there saw Gareth Southgate utilise him in the same role at Euro 2024.
But he has insisted he is more than happy to feature wherever boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has won a record five UEFA Super Cups, wants to play.
While Bellingham also praised new teammate Mbappe, who he has already forged a brilliant relationship with on the pitch.
He told TNT Sports: “Whatever the coach wants from me, I’ll do. I don’t know if I’m always going to score goals or make goals.
“But hopefully I will always be involved in helping the team win and that’s the most important thing for me.”
Asked if it was written in the starts for Mbappe to get on the score sheet, Bellingham stated: “I think so.
“He’s just one of them players, he’s brilliant, he’s so sharp, has so much technical quality and a great teammate as well.
“He doesn’t just rely on the quality he’s got, he works like a dog for the team as well like the rest of the lads.
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“So credit to him and he deserves it tonight.”
For Real, attention now turns towards their LaLiga opener away at Mallorca on Sunday night.
And if Wednesday’s performance is another to go by, you wouldn’t put it past Madrid of claiming further silverware this season.
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