A Night of Comebacks: Real Madrid's Edge Over Sevilla
Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim set the stage for the 2016 Real Madrid vs Sevilla showdown, and things heated up right from the first half. August 9 brought a mix of nerves and excitement, as fans remembered these teams clashing two years earlier with Madrid on top. Would Sevilla have their revenge this time?
The answer unfolded through ninety minutes and beyond. The energy changed fast when Marco Asensio—only 20 back then and in his very first Real Madrid match—fired a rocket from distance, leaving everyone stunned just past the 20-minute mark. A debut goal doesn’t get much better. But Sevilla, always stubborn, responded smartly. Franco Vázquez kept his cool in the box, sliding home the equalizer before halftime and sending whispers through the Madrid bench.
The second half swung Sevilla’s way when Yevhen Konoplyanka, cool as ice, slotted in a penalty. Suddenly, Madrid’s grip on the Super Cup looked shaky. With stars like Cristiano Ronaldo missing due to injury and only a handful of experienced regulars on the field, some wondered if manager Zinedine Zidane’s mix of youth and fringe starters could come back. But Real Madrid rarely quit, especially when silverware is on the line.
Just when Sevilla fans thought victory was theirs, up popped Sergio Ramos in stoppage time—again. Remember his Champions League final heroics? He did it once more, heading Dani Carvajal’s cross past Sergio Rico. Extra time called, and Madrid smelt blood.
Dani Carvajal, as if fueled by adrenaline, charged into the box in the 119th minute, danced around defenders, and poked the ball past Rico to break Sevilla hearts. For Carvajal, often the unsung hero, it was a highlight reel moment that sealed Madrid's third UEFA Super Cup title.
The Squad Behind the Magic: Who Lined Up for Madrid?
This wasn’t a straightforward lineup for Madrid. With big names missing, Zidane started Kiko Casilla in goal. Defenders included Sergio Ramos, Carvajal, and Nacho—often reliable but now asked to step up. In midfield, Luka Modrić brought composure next to Toni Kroos, while Isco and Casemiro worked to dictate tempo and win back the ball.
Up front, it wasn’t the usual BBC trio (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano). Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio flanked Karim Benzema, bringing a mix of youth and drive. Zidane turned to his bench for more firepower as the game wore on. Álvaro Morata stepped in, pushing for a goal, while James Rodríguez added some flair and urgency when things grew scrappy.
Sevilla had their own strong cast. Sergio Rico defended the net, with defenders like Timothée Kolodziejczak and Mariano keeping Madrid’s attack honest. Vitolo’s pace and Konoplyanka’s composure gave them hope throughout, with Vázquez offering constant movement and energy. Their new coach Jorge Sampaoli made gutsy changes, but ultimately, Madrid’s deep bench and killer instinct in big moments made the difference.
That August night in Norway delivered non-stop drama. First starts, comeback goals, and a winner in the dying minutes—pretty much everything you want in a football final. For Madrid, it was proof of their tradition of never backing down, no matter who pulls on the shirt.
