It’s really quite dumb that the Spanish LFP decided to hold the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia. Almost as dumb as Valencia keeper Jaume Doménech after a clever Toni Kroos olimpico as Real Madrid won 3-1 on Wednesday.
Real Madrid took on Valencia in a Supercopa semifinal at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We’ll leave aside the idiotic decision making that led to the tournament being held in a country that ordered the execution and dismemberment of a journalist and where ticket sales were miniscule. Instead we’ll focus on the idiotic play of Doménech early in the match.
Real Madrid dominated the early going and won a corner inside 15 minutes. Doménech proceeded to yell at his teammates — perhaps trying to set them up for the upcoming set piece or perhaps just doing the goalie thing where you pretend to be furious to encourage the defense to play better.
While Doménech was on the edge of the six-yard box, Kroos cleverly took a quick corner kick, catching everyone by surprise for an olimpico.
So quick was the corner the camera crew was caught off guard, with the above video showing how long it took for the production team to display the actual goal. If you’re lazy, you can just watch the below tweet of the Kroos olimpico for the replay.
TONI KROOS SCORES FROM A CORNER! pic.twitter.com/GzYPnYH0H1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 8, 2020
Like Trent Alexander-Arnold against Barcelona in last year’s Champions League semifinals, Kroos caught the opposition defense unprepared for a smart goal. The shot itself rivaled his goal in the 2018 World Cup against Sweden.
Isco scored in the 39th minute to give Real Madrid a 2-0 halftime lead.
Luka Modric put the game away with this lovely piece of skill in the 65th minute.
Luka Modrić scores with the outside of his foot.
He makes it looks so easy pic.twitter.com/ir1zHPNbsi— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 8, 2020
Real Madrid won the match 3-1, with Valencia scoring a consolation penalty kick in stoppage time.
The other semifinal pits Barcelona against Atlético Madrid on Thursday with the final slated for Sunday.