News
MAR 16.08.2016
The season is not in full swing and Real Madrid have already lifted two pieces of silverware. Fresh off beating Sevilla FC in the UEFA Super Cup, Zinedine Zidane's men got the better of Stade de Reims to triumph in the 37th edition of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy.
This instalment of this exhibition fixture was a homage to the Champions League holders' very first European Cup triumph, which came against Reims in 1956. Paco Gento and Raymond Kopa, the latter of whom plied his trade for both Los Blancos and the French outfit, were involved that day 60 years ago and assumed centre stage on this special occasion. The duo took a ceremonial kick-off ahead of the encounter between Zidane's side and the Ligue 2 outfit, and Real Madrid also paraded their 11th European Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in front of their fans at half-time.
Just seven minutes were on the clock when Pablo Chavarria put Reims ahead, but this proved a false dawn for the visitors. A mere three minutes later, the home team equalised, Nacho heading home Toni Kroos's cross at the far post. Before the first half was out, two further headers – from Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Morata – had turned the scoreline around and ensured a party atmosphere in the Bernabeu stands.
However, Reims did not lie down after the break and quickly reduced the deficit through Remi Oudin's 48th-minute effort. Los Blancos duly extended their advantage again courtesy of James Rodriguez's powerful strike from the edge of the area on the hour mark, only for Grejohn Kyei to cut the arrears once more in the 73rd minute. The hosts were not done just yet, though, and Mariano bagged their fifth and final goal – the eighth of the night overall – a short while later.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 16, 2016
We lifted the #TrofeoSantiagoBernabeu thanks to a 5-3 victory over @StadeDeReims!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/DpikkkLZsF
All in all, it was an enjoyable and productive run-out for Real Madrid, who kept up the winning habit in their last dress rehearsal ahead of the start of the LaLiga Santander campaign.
© LALIGA - 2016