Ronaldo powers Real to Super Cup trophy

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as a rampant Real Madrid side, featuring the most expensive strike force ever assembled, powered to a 2-0 win over Sevilla in an all-Spanish UEFA Super Cup.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory before a 33,500 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium in the traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season.

Europa League holders Sevilla battled well but were outclassed by the Champions League winners.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men dominated from start to finish with Ronaldo producing two sublime finishes to beat keeper Beto, his Portugal teammate, after 30 and 49 minutes while Sevilla were restricted to just two chances.

After being presented with the Man of the Match trophy by his former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo told reporters: “It’s the first official match of the season and I was not sure how I would feel.

“But I felt good and had no problems, I didn’t feel any pain. We realised it was going to be a hard game but we played well, created more opportunities and played better and with more intensity and we were the worthy winners.”

Ronaldo praised debutants Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, now at Real after both enjoyed a successful World Cup.

Kroos helped Germany become world champions while Rodriguez was the tournament’s top scorer with six goals for Colombia.