3 UEFA Super Cup Clashes for the History Books

The UEFA Super Cup might not always grab headlines like the Champions League or the Europa League, but it's packed with drama, excitement, and some truly memorable clashes.

This annual showdown between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League often serves up thrilling football moments. And on the eve of Real Madrid’s Super Cup tie versus Atalanta, we decided to reminisce about three of the greatest ever UEFA Super Cup clashes in recent memory. So, here’s a look at five of the greatest UEFA Super Cup clashes ever (in my humble opinion). 

1) Barcelona 5 – 4 Sevilla (2015 UEFA Super Cup) 

The 2015 UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla will forever be remembered as one of the most thrilling and dramatic matches in football history. Held in Tbilisi, Georgia, this nine-goal spectacle had everything a football fan could dream of—world-class goals, last-minute drama, extra time, and a true display of resilience from both sides. 

The game kicked off with a shock as Sevilla's Éver Banega scored a stunning freekick in the 3rd minute. However, Lionel Messi quickly turned the tide, scoring two sensational freekicks within 16 minutes, giving Barcelona a 2-1 lead. Rafinha added a third just before the break to hand Blaugrana a comfortable 2-goal lead.  

After the halftime break, Luiz Suarez scored Barcelona’s fourth of the night in the 52nd minute, ending hopes of a comeback. This is what many fans thought. However, Sevilla had other ideas, as Sevilla mounted a remarkable comeback. José Antonio Reyes pulled one back just five minutes after Suarez’s goal.  

Sevilla’s remarkable comeback was complete once Kevin Gameiro and Yevhen Konoplyanka scored late in the second half, forcing the game to go to extra time, which looked unlikely just 30 minutes ago. However, the decisive moment came in the 115th minute when Messi’s freekick was saved, but Pedro Rodríguez was there to smash in the rebound, giving Barcelona a 5-4 victory. This goal marked Pedro’s last for Barcelona before his move to Chelsea, making it a fitting farewell. 

2) Real Madrid 3 – 2 Sevilla (2016 UEFA Super Cup) 

The 2016 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Sevilla was a football spectacle that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Held in Trondheim, Norway, on August 9th, this match was a rollercoaster of emotions. Real Madrid entered the match as reigning Champions League winners, while Sevilla were no strangers to the Super Cup either, having appeared in the Cup for the third consecutive year. 

Despite missing several key players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, Real Madrid fielded a strong lineup, with youngsters like Marco Asensio ready to step up. The match began with Real Madrid in control, and it wasn’t long before they broke the deadlock. In the 21st minute, Marco Asensio announced himself on the big stage with a stunning long-range strike that soared into the top corner, giving Sevilla’s goalkeeper no chance. 

However, Sevilla were far from beaten. Just before halftime, they responded with a well-worked goal from Franco Vázquez, who calmly slotted the ball past Kiko Casilla to make it 1-1. The equalizer set the stage for an intense second half. In the 72nd minute, Sevilla took a surprising lead when Sergio Ramos conceded a penalty, which Yevhen Konoplyanka converted, putting them 2-1 ahead. As the clock ticked down, it seemed Sevilla would pull off a famous victory. 

But in classic Real Madrid fashion, the drama wasn’t over. In the 93rd minute, Sergio Ramos redeemed himself by heading in a cross to equalize and force extra time. It was a classic Ramos moment—captain, leader, and savior. The match continued into extra time, and just as it looked destined for penalties, Dani Carvajal produced a moment of magic. In the 119th minute, he dribbled past several Sevilla defenders before curling a stunning trivela into the net, sealing a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid. Carvajal’s goal handed Madrid their 2nd UEFA Super Cup in three years. 

3) Real Madrid 2 – 4 Atletico Madrid (2018 UEFA Super Cup) 

The 2018 UEFA Super Cup, held in Tallinn, Estonia, was more than just a match—it was a fierce Madrid derby on the European stage. With city rivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid facing off, fans knew they were in for something special, and the game didn’t disappoint. Real Madrid, fresh off their third consecutive Champions League triumph, entered the match without Cristiano Ronaldo, who had left for Juventus that summer. It was the dawn of a new era for Los Blancos, but Atlético, under the steely guidance of Diego Simeone, were determined to spoil their party. 

The game exploded into life from the first whistle. Incredibly, just 49 seconds into the match, Atlético struck first. Diego Costa, with his typical bulldog determination, muscled past Sergio Ramos and fired a rocket past Keylor Navas from a tight angle, giving Atlético a 1-0 lead and sending their fans into delirium. However, Los Blancos weren’t fazed. They began to dominate possession, and their persistence paid off in the 27th minute when Karim Benzema headed in a pinpoint cross from Gareth Bale. The match was finely balanced, with both teams trading blows in a high-intensity first half. 

The second half brought more drama. In the 63rd minute, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Juanfran handled the ball in the box. Up stepped Sergio Ramos, and the captain coolly converted, putting Real Madrid 2-1 ahead. Atlético refused to back down. In the 79th minute, Diego Costa struck again, finishing from close range after a scramble in the box, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing extra time.  

This win was sweet revenge for Atlético, who had suffered painful defeats at the hands of Real Madrid in two recent Champions League finals. It also marked the first time they had won the UEFA Super Cup since 2012, and they did it in style. 

Also Read: Real Madrid vs Atalanta – UEFA Super Cup – Preview, Team News and Updates