Atletico striker Diego Costa scored an important goal within the first minute of play, though Karim Benzema equalized later in the first half and Spanish defender Sergio Ramos put away a penalty in the second half to give Real the lead.
However, Costa bagged a brace by scoring a late goal to equalize, forcing the showdown to go into extra time. Atletico went on to strike the back the net twice, while Los Blancos failed to capitalize on the opportunities they created, ultimately suffering a 4-2 defeat.
READ MORE: Portugal Star Ronaldo Holds First Full Training With New Side Juventus (PHOTO)
Given Real’s triumph in the three prior Super Cups, supporters and football fanatics have unsurprisingly questioned if they would have won again if they had not sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Serie A heavyweight Juventus.
On social media, Real Madrid was mocked for its performance without Ronaldo, with one user describing the team as an “overpriced Spanish version of Tottenham” without the Portuguese star.
When you realise that without Ronaldo, #RMCF are an overpriced, Spanish version of Tottenham 😂 pic.twitter.com/Y4qVjXSkXk
— ShotOnGoal (@shotongoal247) August 16, 2018
With Ronaldo vs Without Ronaldo
— Football Tweets (@FutballTweets) August 16, 2018
🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/LlWjJDwicI
Real madrid with no Ronaldo 😂😂😂#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/kfEXcdZsLT
— Toluwaleyi (@Ajatz02) August 15, 2018
Bale will carry Real Madrid
— The Fanss-Favourite (@chippy_nkf) August 15, 2018
Ronaldo: pic.twitter.com/8HUiaJWGU6
Despite Ronaldo moving on, Real are undoubtedly still one of the best teams in Europe, and their squad still looked very dangerous in front of goal, with Marcelo charging down the flank and Isco playing a key role in midfield.
Welsh national Gareth Bale, who many have tipped to fill the gap left by Ronaldo, failed to score, but picked up an assist with a perfect cross to Benzema and was at the forefront of most Real attacks.
Although the squad isn’t short of talent, Real will struggle to match its trophy under the Ronaldo-era unless the other players can step up, particularly in terms of goals.
Midfielder Casemiro, who featured in yesterday’s match but was forced off due to an injury, admitted that the team were “missing” Ronaldo.
"Making excuses is not the profile of Real Madrid. Here, we win together and lose together. The Madrid star had a few words to say about his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, we missed Cristiano [Ronaldo], but that's in the past. We can't hide from that fact: any team in the world would miss him.”
READ MORE: WATCH Cristiano Ronaldo Score 'Self-Assisted' Goal at Juventus Training
