Zaragoza sweep past Valencia to win Super Cup

Cup winners Real Zaragoza claimed the first silverware of the Spanish season when they swept to a 3-1 victory over league champions Valencia to lift the Super Cup on Tuesday.

An early goal from Brazilian defender Alvaro allowed the visitors to wipe out their first-leg deficit and Argentine winger Luciano Galletti put them in the driving seat with a well-taken strike just past the half hour.

Valencia pulled one back when Italy striker Bernardo Corradi drilled in early in the second half, but Zaragoza centre-forward Javi Moreno put the result beyond when he netted with a fine glancing header seven minutes from time.

"We were confident that we could come back after the first leg and things worked out perfectly with three good goals," said Zaragoza coach Victor Munoz. "We certainly deserved to win this trophy."

Visitors Zaragoza made an impressive start as they deprived the home side of possession and pushed forward in search of any early goal.

They got their reward after 11 minutes when Alvaro headed home a curling cross from Brazilian winger Savio at the far post.

Zaragoza doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Galletti darted on to a sharp through ball from David Villa and fired a stinging shot inside keeper Santiago Canizares at the near post.

With his side needing to score twice, Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri threw on Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar after the break and the UEFA Cup winners immediately started to look more dangerous.

They pulled a goal back eight minutes into the second half when new signing Corradi drilled home from 12 metres after Portuguese full-back Marco Caneira had cut the ball back from the byline.

But former Atletico Madrid striker Moreno ended any hopes of a Valencia comeback when he nodded in at the near post after a corner to seal the 3-2 aggregate win and a first ever Super Cup trophy for Zaragoza.