Radamel Falcao put in a man-of-the-match performance to help Atlético Madrid to lift the European Super Cup with a 4-1 win over Chelsea in Monaco.
Strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the past, Falcao showed just why the Blues had coveted him with a superb treble that put the result beyond doubt by the break.
The Colombian striker had already hit the bar by the time he broke the deadlock after six minutes.
And he doubled Atlético's advantage in fine style on 19 minutes.
Koke picked out Falcao just inside the box and the former FC Porto man curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top left corner past the despairing grasp of Petr Čech.
Falcao completed his sensational hat-trick shortly before the break with Miranda adding a fourth goal in the second half while Gary Cahill claimed a late consolation for Chelsea.
"We conceded a bit too much space to Atlético Madrid, and a player like Falcao, you can't give him that space," said Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo.
"We said it before that's he's one of the top strikers in European football and again he showed it tonight, with the second goal he scored - it was a very good strike."
Atlético coach Diego Simeone added: "I'm speechless. I really can't describe it. What Radamel is doing is indescribable.
"He's a lad who whenever you set the bar high he sets it higher and rises to the occasion. He has dedication above and beyond what is normal.
"He works to improve every day and his motivation is infectious for the whole squad. Hopefully we can enjoy him at Atlético for a long time."
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| Atlético Madrid striker Radamel Falcao curls a shot to score a goal against Chelsea Photo: Eric Gaillard/REUTERS |
Strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the past, Falcao showed just why the Blues had coveted him with a superb treble that put the result beyond doubt by the break.
The Colombian striker had already hit the bar by the time he broke the deadlock after six minutes.
And he doubled Atlético's advantage in fine style on 19 minutes.
Koke picked out Falcao just inside the box and the former FC Porto man curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top left corner past the despairing grasp of Petr Čech.
Falcao completed his sensational hat-trick shortly before the break with Miranda adding a fourth goal in the second half while Gary Cahill claimed a late consolation for Chelsea.
"We conceded a bit too much space to Atlético Madrid, and a player like Falcao, you can't give him that space," said Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo.
"We said it before that's he's one of the top strikers in European football and again he showed it tonight, with the second goal he scored - it was a very good strike."
Atlético coach Diego Simeone added: "I'm speechless. I really can't describe it. What Radamel is doing is indescribable.
"He's a lad who whenever you set the bar high he sets it higher and rises to the occasion. He has dedication above and beyond what is normal.
"He works to improve every day and his motivation is infectious for the whole squad. Hopefully we can enjoy him at Atlético for a long time."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
