Real Madrid lead Sevilla 1-0 at half time in the European Super Cup courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.

It took until the 19-minute mark before the first real chance of the contest, with summer recruit James Rodriguez picking out Gareth Bale, but the Welshman could not get the better of Beto from close range.

Just two minutes later Sevilla themselves came close to opening the scoring through Vitolo's low effort, which Iker Casillas did well to keep out.

Ronaldo collected a pass from Karim Benzema moments later before getting a shot away at goal, yet Beto was once more on hand to keep the effort out.

Los Bloncos did make the breakthrough with 31 minutes on the clock, however, and it was Ronaldo who found the net after converting Bale's inch-perfect cross to the back post.

Daniel Carrico managed to get on the end of a loose ball inside the Madrid box, only for his attempt to be hit straight at Casillas who kept the strike out, ensuring that Carlo Ancelotti's men held a slender lead at the interval.