Real Madrid will face fierce rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final after Xabi Alonso`s team beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.

Federico Valverde scored a sensational free-kick and set up Real Madrid`s other goal as they beat rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a thrilling Supercopa de Espana semi-final.

Barcelona hammered Athletic Club 5-0 in the first semi-final on Wednesday, but Thursday`s encounter between the capital rivals was much tighter.

Valverde was the difference maker, as he followed up his second-minute piledriver with a fabulous assist for Rodrygo as the Brazilian doubled Madrid`s lead early in the second half.

However, Atletico fought back at King Abdullah Sport City, with Alexander Sorloth heading home in the 58th minute.

Diego Simeone`s team saw some excellent chances for an equaliser pass them by, with Antoine Griezmann denied by a superb Thibaut Courtois save before bending just wide.

Julian Alvarez slammed wide in the closing stages of stoppage time, as Madrid teed up a re with holders Barca - it will be the fourth straight Supercopa final contested between the two great rivals of Spanish football.

Data Debrief: Madrid`s forwards put on a clinic

Atletico tallied up 22 shots, but it is the scoreline that counts, and even though Madrid only had eight attempts, they were extremely clinical.

Xabi Alonso`s team finished with 1.14 expected goals (0.14 xG per shot), while Atleti`s per-shot xG came in at 0.1 (2.26 xG in total).

Valverde will take the plaudits. Playing at right-back, the Uruguay international`s free-kick, hammered beyond Jan Oblak and into the left-hand corner, was a thing of beauty, and was the earliest free-kick goal for Madrid since 2013, and the earliest goal in a Supercopa match since the turn of the century. However, his defence-splitting pass into Rodrygo was a joy to behold, too.

Rodrygo was responsible for half of Madrid`s shots, while he also had six touches in Atleti`s box, more than any of his team-mates.