WARSAW, Poland — Kylian Mbappé made an impressive debut for Real Madrid, scoring a goal and helping secure a trophy in the UEFA Super Cup. The France captain played his first competitive match for the Spanish champions, contributing to a 2-0 victory over Atalanta on Wednesday.
Mbappé, who started the match and played for 82 minutes at the National Stadium, scored the second goal in the 68th minute with a shot into the top corner after receiving a precise pass from Jude Bellingham.
“He’s just one of those players,” remarked Bellingham, praising Mbappé’s sharpness, technical skill, and teamwork.
Celebrating with his signature gesture, Mbappé was joined by teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, forming a strong attacking trio for Madrid as they aim for success in the upcoming season.
Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 59th minute, converting a cross from Vinícius, which paved the way for Madrid to claim a record sixth Super Cup title. This prestigious match pits the Champions League winners against their Europa League counterparts.
Madrid continues to set records, holding 15 European Cup titles, and Mbappé’s arrival adds to the roster of elite players in the club’s history. As the new No. 9, he initially played as the central striker but shifted to a wider position with more impact in the second half.
“We have a new-look team, and it seemed to just click tonight,” said Bellingham, noting the team’s adjustment process that paid off in the second half.
However, Vinícius and Bellingham stood out as key players for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, which took control after a balanced first half that featured both sides hitting the crossbar.
Atalanta almost gained the lead early in the second half with a header from Mario Pašalić that was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. From that point, Madrid dominated, with Vinícius finding more space to operate centrally.
Though finding the best attacking combination may take time for Ancelotti, the coach faces a privileged challenge with the talent available, including summer signing Endrick, who did not see any action in this match.
Luka Modric, the 38-year-old legendary midfielder, lifted the trophy as gold confetti rained down, celebrating alongside Mbappé, who exuberantly participated in the festivities before claiming the trophy himself.