Juventus players celebrate after winning the Italian Super Cup in Reggio Emilia, Italy, January 20, 2021. /CFP
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata helped Juventus beat Napoli 2-0 to win the Italian Super Cup on Wednesday, the annual meeting between the Coppa Italia winners and Serie A champions.
Napoli, who beat Juventus in the final to win last season's Coppa Italia, came close to taking the lead midway through the first half, but Hirving Lozano's bullet header was brilliantly saved by Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Juventus shoots a goal during the Italian Super Cup match with Napoli in Reggio Emilia, Italy, January 20, 2021. /CFP
Substitute Federico Bernardeschi almost made an immediate impact early in the second half but was denied by David Ospina in the Napoli goal, before Ronaldo pounced from close range in the 64th minute.
Napoli were then handed a golden opportunity to equalize after Dries Mertens was fouled in the penalty area, but Lorenzo Insigne dragged his spot kick wide.
Alvaro Morata #9 of Juventus hugs his teammate after scoring his team's second goal against Napoli during their Italian Super Cup match in Reggio Emilia, Italy, January 20, 2021. /CFP
As Gennaro Gattuso's side committed bodies forward in stoppage time, Juve broke on the counter with Morata making sure of the win that secured Andrea Pirlo his first trophy as a senior coach.
"It is a great joy to win a trophy," Pirlo told Rai Sport. "It is even more beautiful than winning as a player.
"It is difficult to see beautiful finals. It was important to win above all after the defeat against Inter (Milan in Serie A on Sunday). We had to show our pride."
Alcoyano players celebrate their 2-1 win over Real Madrid after their Copa del Rey match in Alcoy, Spain, January 20, 2021. /CFP
In Spain, Real Madrid suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to lowly Alcoyano on Wednesday to exit the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup), as the third division side scored an unlikely winner late in extra time after being reduced to ten men.
Eder Militao headed in a cross from Brazilian compatriot Marcelo to give Real the lead right at the end of the first half, but Alcoyano substitute Jose Solbes stabbed home following a corner to level for the hosts with ten minutes remaining.
Alcoyano's Ramon Lopez picked up a second yellow card in the 110th minute for a foul on Casemiro to leave his side a man down, but instead of clinging on for penalties, the home side burst forward five minutes later and snatched a winner when midfielder Juanan Casanova turned in a cross from close range.
Juanan Casanova (R) of Alcoyano scores his team's second goal against Real Madrid during their Copa del Rey match in Alcoy, Spain, January 20, 2021. /CFP
Zidane made nine changes to the team that were beaten 2-1 by Athletic Bilbao in last week's Spanish Super Cup semi-final but was still able to field a strong starting 11 containing five Champions League winners.
His side looked in control for most of the match but had few clear-cut opportunities.
No fans were allowed into Alcoyano's El Collao stadium due to coronavirus restrictions but people could be seen watching the game from the walls surrounding the ground and the players and onlookers erupted in joy when the whistle came.
Bernardo Silva (C) celebrates after scoring Manchester City's first goal against Aston Villa during their Premier League match in Manchester, England, January 20, 2021. /CFP
In England, Manchester City moved top of the Premier League, temporarily at least, after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in a pulsating game at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in which Villa boss Dean Smith saw red over the hosts' opener.
City moved to 38 points, above Leicester City on goal difference, with Manchester United on 37 points but playing at Fulham later on Wednesday.
After both sides had created plenty of openings and Joao Cancelo struck the bar for City, Bernardo Silva provided the breakthrough in the 79th minute with a brilliant left-footed finish after Rodri had robbed Villa defender Tyrone Mings.
Rodri had come back into play from an offside position before taking the ball off Mings and Villa manager Smith was given a red card for his protests at the referee.
"It was a farcical decision. I've not seen a goal like that given. It needs to be looked at. I don't think anyone in this stadium thought it was a goal," said Smith.