On Wednesday, the 47th edition of the UEFA Super Cup will take place in Olympic Stadium, Helsinki between Champions League winners Real Madrid and Europa League holders Eintracht Franfurt.
Regardless of the fact that its concept is centred around a showdown of the best of the best, a Super Cup is simply not comparable to a treasured league title conquest or success in the major European competitions.
It’s the continental equivalent of the Community Shield: a pleasant evening out for supporters and a chance to see some top-tier clubs face-off in a much more relaxed setting. Generally, there is a feeling of pre-season for clubs and fans prior to this clash. However, it is a major silverware, and the team that wins it undoubtedly feels ecstatic. In any case, Super Cup is an important matchup that promises to be an entertaining showdown.
Now, with Ancelotti’s Los Blancos all set to face Glasner Frankfurt in a clash that is bound to be an intriguing one, FootTheBall ranks the top ten UEFA Super Cup matches of all time.
1. Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (2015)
In an all-Spanish clash, Barcelona faced Sevilla in a thrilling encounter as this matchup engraved its name on the Super Cup stone as the highest-scoring one-legged Super Cup in history.
[MATCH REPORT] @FCBarcelona win 4th title of 2015 over Sevilla 5–4: http://t.co/jttHl2DB5m – #C4MPIONS #FCBWorld pic.twitter.com/oxBDgeeK58
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 12, 2015
The spectators were drawn from their seats during a spectacular opening 16 minutes of this match, which saw both sides convert three free-kicks in total. Lionel Messi’s two free-kick bangers cancelled out Ever Banega’s spectacular curling strike to give Barcelona the lead.
Barca led 4-2 well before the hour mark, but Europa League champions Sevilla stormed back into the match with a Kevin Gameiro strike followed by a Yevhen Konoplyanka tap-in to level the scoring at 4-4, forcing extra time.
The contest appeared to be headed to penalties until Pedro emerged to be the super-sub, scoring a winner for Barcelona with just five minutes remaining and handing his club their fifth Super Cup title.
2. Real Madrid 3-2 Sevilla (2016)
Another all-Spanish encounter and yet another defeat in the extra time period for Sevilla, who returned to the UEFA Super Cup final the following year after claiming consecutive Europa League titles.
This time, Real Madrid were their opponents, and the La Liga opponents battled out in another exciting encounter. After 21 minutes, Marco Asensio put Champions League victors Real Madrid ahead, however, Franco Vazquez found the net to level the scoring before halftime.
Sevilla secured the lead thanks to a Konoplyanka penalty, and as the injury time loomed, it appeared as they had done enough to win the cup.
But nothing is over when you have a man named Sergio Ramos on your squad. The Spaniard, once again, rose to the big occasion and delivered in the clutch to score an all-important goal to force the final into extra time.
#TalDíaComoHoy en 2⃣0⃣1⃣6⃣, el Real Madrid ganó la #SuperCup en con este gol de Carvajal en el minuto 1⃣1⃣9⃣.#UCL | @realmadrid | @DaniCarvajal92 pic.twitter.com/S9k4ni36rW
— Liga de Campeones (@LigadeCampeones) August 9, 2021
Sevilla were reduced to 10 men in extra time after Timothee Kolodziejczak was sent off, but they fought courageously, however, their efforts were in vain as Dani Carvajal’s 119th-minute superb solo goal secured the cup for Los Blancos.
3. Bayern Munich 2(P)-2 Chelsea (2013)
You don’t need to search much further for pure entertainment. In this mouthwatering encounter, Bayern had 37 shots against Chelsea’s 14, which was less noteworthy. The Bavarians had 19 chances on target, while the Blues had nine.
Chelsea were defeated in the UEFA Super Cup for the second year running, but even after so much offensive onslaught, it required a penalty shootout for Bayern Munchen to dispatch Jose Mourinho’s ten-man side.
🔴 When @FCBayern last triumphed in the #SuperCup, beating Chelsea on penalties back in 2013 …#TBT pic.twitter.com/DPKTekPZZM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 24, 2020
In a rematch of the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, Bayern once again dominated possession, but this time it was the Blues who scored first, thanks to Fernando Torres until Frank Ribery balanced the score early in the second half.
💛 @Javi8martinez LOVES the UEFA Super Cup 🥰
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣3️⃣ Scores 120+1’ equalizer vs Chelsea before winning the 🏆
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ Scores 104’ winner vs Sevilla to win @fcbayern's 2nd ever Super Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oSfPmh0VND— 433 (@433) September 24, 2020
Ramires’ red card in the 85th minute handed Bayern the numerical superiority going into extra time, however when Eden Hazard restored Chelsea’s advantage, it needed a last-gasp Javi Martnez effort to force penalties. There, Manuel Neuer denied the crucial spot-kick from Romelu Lukaku, guaranteeing the Germans reign supreme.
4. Liverpool 3-2 Bayern Munich (2001)
Liverpool had a wonderful season campaign under the supervision of Gerard Houllier in 2000/01, claiming the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) as part of a treble of cup tournaments ( FA Cup and League Cup) to secure their place in the UEFA Super Cup.
They locked horns with the Champions League victors Bayern Munich, a formidable side led by Ottmar Hitzfeld who had reached Europe’s summit following a penalty shootout victory over Valencia.
On this day in 2001, #LFC beat Bayern Munich 3-2 to lift the European Super Cup for a second time pic.twitter.com/aBHtsnKrWq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 24, 2014
Houllier’s dynamic youthful squad stormed to a three-goal cushion, with goals from John Arne Riise, Emile Heskey, and Michael Owen leaving the Merseyside outfit in command.
Bayern Munich responded with Hasan Salihamidzic and Carsen Jancker, but Liverpool held on to capture their fifth silverware of the calendar year.
5. Galatasaray 2-1 Real Madrid (2000)
Turkish outfit Galatasaray stunned Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in the first UEFA Super Cup final ever decided by the ‘Golden Goal’ decision.
Galatasaray beat Real Madrid 2-1 to win the UEFA Super Cup #OnThisDay in 2000 pic.twitter.com/BHGqa7m0OR
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 25, 2015
This formidable Real side had won two Champions League crowns in the previous three seasons and entered the match as overwhelming favourites, but Galatasaray pulled ahead courtesy to a Mario Jardel penalty.
Raul hit level for Los Blancos, which included stars Luis Figo, Claude Makelele, and Roberto Carlos, with a penalty of his own, and the game went to extra time.
1 – Real Madrid are the only team to lose a European Super Cup to a golden goal; they were beaten 2-1 by Galatasaray in 2000. History.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 12, 2014
With the golden goal rule in operation, Brazilian striker Jardel would secure the cup for Galatasaray by scoring a winner in extra time.
6. Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (2019)
Another thrilling encounter and another UEFA Super Cup match that headed to penalties to decide the victors. An all-English affair, Champions League winners Liverpool face Europa League winners Chelsea.
10 minutes before the half-time, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea took the lead when Olivier Giroud met Christian Pulisic’s through ball with a first-time strike into the bottom corner. Sadio Mane levelled the scoring three minutes after the interval, tapping the ball across the goal line after half-time replacement Roberto Firmino reacted swiftly to Fabinho’s feed.
Mane and Firmino linked once more to fatal effect not long into additional time. It was a Firmino cutback and a thunderous first-time Mane finish drive into the roof of the net to come back after being one goal down. However, they threw away the lead as Jorginho equalized for Chelsea from the penalty spot to make the scoreline 2-2.
The match went to penalty shootouts, where nine penalties were converted until Tammy Abraham stepped up, but the striker’s attempt was denied, igniting elation in Jurgen Klopp’s dugout.
7. Atletico Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (2018)
Real Madrid’s stranglehold on the UEFA Super Cup was snapped by their neighbours, Atletico Madrid, who became the first UEFA Europa League champions to take home the Super Cup trophy since they did it themselves in 2012.
Diego Costa netted the contest’s fastest goal ever inside 50 seconds to put Atletico ahead. Karim Benzema evened up in the 27th minute, and Sergio Ramos scored a penalty just past the hour mark, only for Costa to striker again and equalize with 11 minutes remaining, forcing extra time.
Diego Costa (x2), Saul and Koke score as Atletico Madrid top Real Madrid to win their third UEFA #SuperCup! pic.twitter.com/so5fMiVoAp
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 15, 2018
Saul’s stunning goal eight minutes in handed Atletico a one-goal cushion that was doubled by Koke. Simeone’s men earned at least a minimal retaliation for their UEFA Champions League final setbacks against Real in 2014 and 2016.
Commencing their journey following Zinédine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, things did not go as anticipated by Los Blancos.
8. Sevilla 3-0 Barcelona (2006)
Another example of an underdog team upsetting the heavy favourites, Sevilla’s incredible performance in 2006 surprised everyone in attendance as well as those watching around the world as they thrashed a formidable Barcelona side with a well-deserved 3-0 victory.
Sevilla opened the minutes with a breakneck pace, with Victor Valdes called upon to save a long-range attempt from Luis Fabiano and then save Julien Escude’s diving header from Renato’s free-kick.
25/8 – On this day in 2006 Sevilla FC won their only European Supercup tittle (3-0 vs Barcelona in Monaco). Remember. pic.twitter.com/1ZLS0U2Ypi
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 25, 2020
Renato opened the scoring for Sevilla after he guided the ball into an unguarded net after a rebound fell to him perfectly from Luis Fabiano’s shot. However, just as Barca appeared to be gaining momentum, Sevilla increased their lead thanks to a thunderous header by Kanoute.
Sevilla’s beautiful night was completed in the closing minutes when Carles Puyol tackled Antonio Puerta and Maresca capped off an outstanding team effort from the penalty spot, as Sevilla became the third Spanish side to lift the UEFA Super Cup.
9. Atletico Madrid 4-1 Chelsea (2012)
Less of an intriguing contest, this was more of what might be dubbed as the Falcao-night.
Chelsea had no response for Falcao’s heroics when the Colombian forward struck a magnificent hat-trick to assist Atletico Madrid to win their second UEFA Super Cup in three years.
You might remember, @FALCAO scored a 39-minute hat-trick against @ChelseaFC in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup pic.twitter.com/mkc7RZ70gf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 3, 2015
Chelsea had been in paradise three months earlier after lifting the Champions League for the first time, but they were unable to follow up with a second piece of European silverware as Falcao bagged a hat-trick before half-time.
If the encounter wasn’t already beyond Chelsea’s reach, Simeone’s side put the Blues to bed on the hour mark when Miranda netted the fourth goal. With 15 minutes remaining, Gary Cahill scored a consolation goal for Chelsea, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Atletico Madrid and Falcao from being the standouts in Monaco and lifting the UEFA Super Cup.
10. Ajax 6-1 AC Milan (1974)
The inaugural match of the UEFA Super Cup pitted European champions Ajax against UEFA Cup victors AC Milan over two legs, with the first leg taking place at the San Siro.
The Italian side won a close first-leg triumph thanks to a Luciano Chiarugi strike and travelled to Amsterdam with a slim 1-0 lead.
🏆🇪🇺 Back in 1974 we won our 2nd European Supercup!
Ajax 6 – 0 @ACMilan 🤯#OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/AecB7nmaVK— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 16, 2021
Nobody could have predicted how the competition would end just a week later. Ajax hammered the visitors 6-0 at home, with six different goal scorers in an impressive victory for the Dutch side and an embarrassing ending for Rossoneri.
The eventual aggregate scoreline was 6-1, but fans thrilled by the inaugural UEFA-approved Super Cup would have to wait two years for a sequel, as West German European Cup winners Bayern Munchen and East German Cup Winners’ Cup winners Magdeburg couldn’t agree on a date for the 1974 edition.
