The Madrid derbi going global since 2014
The final of the Spanish Super Cup, the #SuperDerbi, will be the fifth Madrid derbi played outside of Spain in the last six years.
The Madrid Derby has become a global affair. On Sunday, the two teams will play their fifth game away from Spain in the last six years. All of those games were sold-out affairs starting with the Champions League final in 2014, a sweet night for Real Madrid and a bitter one for the rojiblancos. Sergio Ramos' goal in the 93rd minutes broke Atlético's spirit before three goals in extra-time broke their hearts. 61,000 crammed into the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon for that game.
Two years later, it was the same competition, the same two teams, the same heartbreak for Atlético and the same euphoria for Real Madrid but in a different stadium. It wasn't in extra-time though because neither side could get the winning goal before a Juanfran penalty sealed Atlético's fate in the shoot-out. The Champions League final 2016 was played in front of 81,000 fans at the San Siro.
They met in the European Super Cup in Lillekula Stadium in Tallinn in 2018 in front of 12,500 fans. It was the only Madrid derby that didn't have Zidane and Simeone on the teams respective benches. Lopetegui had just taken over in the summer before Zidane's return later in the season. Atlético lifted the cup on that occasion when, once again, 90 minutes wasn't enough to see the teams separated. Atlético scored two goals in extra-time to seal victory.
The last derby was played at MetLife in Ner Jersey in front of 80,000 fans that filled fans with doubts about Zidane's second spell in charge of the club. Atlético won the game 3-7 after a flurry of first half goals. The #SuperDerbi takes place on Sunday and another exciting encounter outside of Spain is almost a guarantee.