Madrid beats Barca 2-0 without Ronaldo to win Super Cup

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez look dejected after losing the Spanish Super Cup in Madrid, Spain on August 17, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Barcelona had no answer for Madrid's pressure, lost ball after ball in its own half, and clearly missed Neymar's presence on the left flank to start quick attacks.

"They showed more energy in their pressure and we suffered when they recovered the ball," Valverde said. "It's obvious that we have to recover our spirit quickly."The only bright spot on another long night for Barcelona was the positive contribution of Roberto, who provided the only consistent attacking spark besides Messi.

Zidane also rested Francisco "Isco" Alarcon and Casemiro, who went on late. Luka Modric was back from suspension and outplayed all of Barcelona's midfielders.

Asensio picked up right where he had left the first leg, stunning goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a long strike that floated overhead before landing in the net.

Asensio earned a place in Zidane's starting 11 after going on as a substitute on Sunday and capping Madrid's victory by scoring a 90th-minute goal with a long shot that Ter Stegen failed to stop.

The 21-year-old forward started the second leg with a similar superb strike, bending a left-footed shot from well outside the area over a flatfooted Ter Stegen.

Messi needed over 10 minutes to finally touch the ball, and once he did Barcelona showed signs of life with two Messi-led attacks that made Madrid work in defense.

But despite having five midfielders, Barcelona never established control. A bad pass by Mascherano almost led to a goal from Vazquez, who hit the post in the 33rd.

That was just a warning of was about to come when Sergio Busquets lost another ball near Barcelona's area. Madrid left back Marcelo pounced by sending a low cross into the area, when Benzema twisted around Samuel Umtiti and swept in his goal.

It took almost an hour for Messi to finally produced Barcelona's first serious threat when he forced Keylor Navas to palm his shot onto the bar in the 53rd.

Suarez headed a rebound of Messi's strike parried by Navas off the upright in the 71st. The striker finished the match favoring his right knee after running into Navas.

Madrid starts its defense of its Spanish league title on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna, while Barcelona will try to rebound at home against Real Betis.

AP