Updated at 22.56
KYLIAN MBAPPE had a “great night” as he scored on his Real Madrid debut to help his new side win a record sixth UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Atalanta in Warsaw on Wednesday.
The star French striker has been waiting for years for the chance to play for his dream club and after finally signing for Los Blancos this summer at the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, he celebrated his first appearance by scoring.
Federico Valverde opened the scoring for the European Cup holders from close range in the 59th minute after the Italian Europa League winners had dominated the first half.
Madrid began to create chances and in the 68th minute Mbappe fired home after Jude Bellingham had spotted his shot into the box to seal the win.
“It was a great night, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, to play with this shirt, with this badge, for these fans,” Mbappe told Movistar in fluent Spanish.
Madrid's triumph allowed coach Carlo Ancelotti to equal former Los Blancos coach Miguel Munoz's tally of titles won under the club's management – 14.
The Italian's first task this season will be to develop a system that will allow him to make the most of his star-studded attacking line-up.
Mbappe started in the middle of Madrid's attack, flanked on the left by Vinicius Junior and on the right by Rodrygo Goes. This is the first look at how he could fit into Ancelotti's plans this season.
As a result, England international Bellingham was playing as part of a midfield trio rather than as a striker as he started last season, and was able to achieve such devastating goalscoring effect.
“(Mbappe) has the qualities to score a lot of goals,” Ancelotti told Movistar.
“We need to find balance in the team – we didn't have it today.”
Federico Valverde's goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 lead over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup. #Supercup pic.twitter.com/QXyVkNTrqw
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 14, 2024
Mbappe's only chance in a tense first half came in the 15th minute, but his shot from the centre of the box was well blocked by Isak Hiene.
Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta, appearing in the Super Cup for the first time since beating Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last season, came close to taking the lead when Eder Militao headed Martin de Roon's cross onto the crossbar.
Bellingham was shown a yellow card for a foul on Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso, who charged forward from the centre of the pitch after making a heavy touch on the goal while trying to intercept a ball from Vinicius.
Just before the break, Rodrygo sliced the ball off the top of the Atalanta crossbar after a pass from Vinicius.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who missed much of last season through injury, made a stunning one-handed save to deny Mario Pašalić's header early in the second half.
– Movement Movement –
Madrid broke the deadlock before the hour mark through Valverde, who scored from close range, while Atalanta's defence were worried about Mbappe, who moved more freely.
Bellingham, whose influence on the game was growing, passed the ball to Vinicius, who passed the ball to the Uruguayan midfielder and sent it into the net.
Kylian Mbappe scored on his debut to make it 2-0 between Real Madrid and Atalanta. #Supercup pic.twitter.com/PcJkG5wQg8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 14, 2024
Valverde, who took up the No8 shirt vacated by Toni Kroos when he retired this summer, said he was “extremely proud”.
“It's very motivating to have the number of a player I admire a lot. I dedicate this goal to him and my wife,” Valverde said.
Vinicius should have doubled Madrid's lead with a pass towards goal, but Musso saved his shot.
Swedish defender Hien blocked Bellingham's shot as Real looked to score a second goal, and then Musso thwarted the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Mbappe eventually scored the decisive goal after Bellingham, named man of the match, supported the attack and spotted a clever move by the Frenchman.
The 25-year-old striker was given a standing ovation by Madrid fans after Ancelotti replaced him in the 83rd minute, in what was likely the first of many.
Mbappe said he expects to improve his performances in the coming weeks as Real Madrid's La Liga campaign kicks off against Real Mallorca on Saturday.
“I'm sure we will improve, and I will improve first and foremost, but today is a positive step,” the striker added.
Rodrigo said Ancelotti ordered the forwards to change positions frequently, which became evident in the second half.
“The coach asked us to change positions often or stay apart,” the Brazilian told Movistar.
“They were man-marking us so we had to back off and that's what happened during the game.”