Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

After holders Barça thumped Athletic Bilbao 5-0 on Wednesday, things were much tighter for Real against city rivals Atlético Madrid, but they emerged 2-1 winners at King Abdullah Sport City.

Federico Valverde scored a spectacular free kick in only the second minute, with Rodrygo doubling Real's advantage 10 minutes after halftime.

Alexander Sorloth pulled one back just three minutes later but, despite a host of chances, Atlético could not find an equaliser.

Kylian Mbappé had not travelled to Saudi -- where the tournament moved in 2019 -- as he recovers from the knee injury that saw him miss the recent victory over Real Betis, so Gonzalo García again deputised, although the France international could join up with the squad before Sunday.

Real went ahead from their first chance and in some style, Valverde thundering a 30-yard free kick into the top corner after Jude Bellingham had been fouled.

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Rodrygo's run ended with Jan Oblak making a fine low save in the 29th minute, but the remainder of the first half saw Atletico pepper their rivals' goal.

First Alex Baena's fierce shot was pushed away by Thibaut Courtois before the goalkeeper produced an even better save, getting a hand to Sorloth's header from a corner.

Sorloth then headed Conor Gallagher's cross over when he should have done better, while Baena and Gallagher both had further opportunities.

Atlético would certainly have felt they deserved to go in level at halftime, but things got worse for Diego Simeone's men 10 minutes into the second period.

It was another moment of individual brilliance that made the difference, this time Rodrygo going clear of the Atlético defence thanks to a brilliant touch to meet Valverde's pass and then slotting the ball coolly past Oblak and into the bottom corner.

The response from Atlético was immediate, this time Sorloth made no mistake when Giuliano Simeone found him at the back post.

A touchline spat saw both Vinícius Júnior and Diego Simeone booked after the Brazil international was substituted, but the Atleti boss' main source of frustration was that his side could not find an equaliser.

Antoine Griezmann tried an overhead kick, while Marcos Llorente and Julián Álvarez both sent shots just wide as Real held on.