Real Madrid 2 vs 2 Club America summary: stats and highlights | Club Friendly
Club America scored in the 82nd minute to share the spoils against defending European Champions, Real Madrid from Oracle Park on Tuesday night. Two second half spot kicks settled the score as Madrid and America drew 2-2.
Benzema brilliance
It was the second time the legendary Mexican side and Los Blancos met in a preseason friendly. The last time was in 2010 when Madrid won 3-2 thanks to goals from Sergio Canales, Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo from the very same stadium they played in on Tuesday.
Club America came out of the gates firing, as they continued to pressure the goal of Madrid’s second keeper Andriy Lunin. It was Henry Marin who broke open the match with a beautiful touch inside the box on a shot that was intended for goal. He settled with his first touch and tucked it past Lunin with his second for the opener in the fifth minute.
Mexico continued to press as Madrid took a quarter of an hour to find their their feet. Once they did it was the Balon D’Or front runner, Karim Benzema, who showed he’s in midseason form after missing the Barcelona game over the weekend. Benzema played a one-two ball to Marco Asensio, and the Spaniard laid the ball off on a plater for the Madrid No. 9 to curl the ball around Guillermo Ochoa and into the side netting on a sheer stroke of genius.
Penalties settle score in second half
Madrid would take control after scoring the equalizer, but didn’t take the lead until into the second half when Lucas Vazquez was tripped up in the box by Salvador Reyes. Eden Hazard stepped to the spot and tucked the penalty home in what was a much needed goal for the former Chelsea man who admitted he hasn’t been at his best over the last couple years, but stated he wants to win the Madrid fans over this year.
Madrid continued to dominate possession despite making a handful of changes at the halftime break, but it was a mistake by one of Carlo Ancelotti’s young substitutes, Vinicius Tobias, who tripped up former Madrid man, Adolfo Fidalgo, in the box. Fidalgo buried the penalty in the 82nd minute to split the points from San Francisco.
Fidalgo earned it, so he took it and made no mistake against the club he used to call his own.
One of the Madrid youngsters trip up former Real Madrid youngster Alvaro Fidalgo to earn the penalty.
Hazard stepped to the spot and buried the 2-1 for a much needed goal in his preseason campaign.
Vazquez went down after a clumsy challenge from Reyes.
Benzema with a stroke of genius to equalize in the 22nd minute.
Martin got the opener in the fifth minute after some early pressure from America.
It's all over here from Oracle Park. Real Madrid and Club America split the points in what was a fantastic night from Oracle Park.
Alaba with the final chance of the match, but Jimenez had a finger tip save to settle for a share of the spoils here from San Francisco.
We are into the 90th minutes at Oracle Park.
Rodrigo hits the side netting from an acute angle after being feed a ball into the box from Hazard. Time is running out for Madrid to get their first win of the preseason.
Camavinga on the ensuing corner had a chance after the lay off at the top of the area, but his shot lacked the sting to really test Jimenez.
Rodrigo had the ball fall to him right in front of the mouth of goal after a ball in from Ceballos. He couldn't get the shot off in time and the America defense scrambles to keep the third off the board.
GOALLLLLL!!!!!! Fidalgo earned it so he took it. Cañizares had a chance at it as he guessed right, but couldn't keep the equalizer out. We are all square with seven minutes to go.
Vinicius Tobias gets the slightest of touches on the former Real Madrid man Fidalgo in the area and the ref points to the spot. America will have a chance to equalize with less than 10 minutes to go.
America staring to turn on the pressure in the attacking third looking for an equalizer, but Militao sent the Reyes cross into touch.
Ceballos with a cheeky through ball into the area to Rodrigo who tried to turn on it with a one touch shot, but whiffed on the attempt.
Rodrigo taking it all on his own from the top of the area, but the Brazilian's effort was always rising.
Tchoumani looks in the mood to get his first goal with his new side. The strike was pushed wide of the goal by Jimenez, but the frenchman is not shying away from taking on some long range efforts.
Valdez flicked on a header in the box hoping for a teammate to run on, but the danger was extinguished by Militao.
Ceballos was left all alone on the right side of the box after a beautiful dummy from Vazquez, but it was Jimenez was up to the task making a brave save in the one vs. one encounter.
A half chance from Valdez was sent wide from the top of the area. A rare chance goes begging for a side that has not had much joy in the first quarter of an hour in the second half.
Cañizares makes his first save of his night after Layun laces one on target, but the Madrid No. 3 keeper was positioned well.
Tchoumani tried curling a shot into the back of the net after a lay off at the top of the area, but it was always rising, and sails over the crossbar.
Alaba ran on to a ball sent across the box from Vazquez and Caceres was brave to step in front of that shot sent in with plenty of pace from the Austrian.
Club America scrambling at the back to start the second half. The Madrid pressure is starting to take it's toll on the Mexican side's defense.
GOALLLLLL! Hazard tucks it home on the right side and that is a much needed goal for the former Chelsea man.
Vazquez tripped up by Reyes in the area and the ref point to the spot. It was clumsy from Reyes despite the loose touch from Vazquez.
Alaba, who also came on at half, with a strike off the free kick from distance. It was hit with plenty of pace, but he couldn't keep his shot down as it goes sailing high.
Easy stuff for Lunin off of the America corner kick from the left side.
Hazard with a quick chance after a lovely cross from Valverde. Didn't have much space to have it on the half volley, but did well to get contact he just needed a bit more direction.
Madrid have made some changes in the second half. Valverde, Hazard, Tchoumani and Camavinga have been introduced.
We are back in play here from San Fran! Do America come out on the front foot like they did in the first half or does Madrid continue to press like they were at the end of the first 45?
It doens't get much classier than this finish from Benzema.
Martin's strike got the Mexican side on the board early in the match after a cool touch and calm finish in the area.
We are done with the first half of play from San Fran. Club America came out strong and got the opener, but then the European Champions came storming back with a bit of brilliance to equalize in the 22nd minute.
Vazquez and Viñas chripping at each other as the half comes to a close.
Kroos with the corner and Rudiger on the back post looking to knod it on frame, but missed the target.
There will be one minute of stoppage time from Oracle Park!
Madrid has been pressing to get the go ahead goal before half, but Club America are holding on well.
Benzema wiggling around defenders at the top of the area and freed himself up enough to have a go at goal, but the No. 9 just missed the target. You don't see him miss the frame too often from straight on, but the Mexican side will be thankful.
Kroos fires an effort with his left foot that went bouncing off a defender head. Not sure how much Lara knew about the clearance but he will take it as it was headed on frame.
Benzema slipped it over to Vinicius after a bad give away from America in the middle of the pitch, but the defense was able to clear for a corner kick after a loose touch from Vini.
Casemiro sees the games first booking after sending Layun to the ground. The Free kick at the right edge of the box was taken low from Layun and Lunin was covering the front post to make for an easy save.
Zendejas shyed away from the cross on the left side and it's not the first time we have seem Club America get into position to serve in a cross, and pass on the opportunity.
Neat touches at the top of the box between Benzema, Modric and Asensio, but it was a bit too tight and the possession goes begging.
Jimenez coming in for Ochoa at keeper for America. I don't think this is a reaction to the goal being scored, but the veteran keeper got his half hour against one of the top clubs in the world.
America continue to hold the edge in possesion, but aren't getting those open spaces they were finding in the first 15 minutes.
In footballing terms, this is perfection. The lay off was begging to be hit exactly like the French No. 9 did to slip it past Ochoa.
Here is the opener from Martin who had a cool touch in the box to settle the attempted shot and slipped it past Lunin on his second touch.
Madrid are the ones turning up the pressure after the goal. America is keeping possession, but the Spaniards are relentless in their pursuit of the ball
Madrid's first shot turns into gold as Benzema shows how ruthless he can be in front of goal. America knew Madrid would get their chances eventually, it took 22 minutes but we are all square in the first half.
GOALLLLL MADRID!!! GOALLLLL BENZEMA!!! It was a brilliant curling effort around the keeper from outside the area after a lovely combination and lay off from Asensio which teed up the Frenchman for the GOLAZO!!
Vazquez in loads of space on the right side, but his pass to the top of the area was sloppy and the chance goes wasting.
The one two between Vazquez and Casemiro is cut out by what's been a very steady back line for America up until this point. Madrid have yet to get a touch in the box, and Benzema has done more on the defensive thrid of the pitch then in the attacking third.
`Solari has his boys looking sharp, looking crisp in possession and dangerous in the attacking third. Zendejas has it drop to him right at the top of the area and sent his shot just wide of the target. The Madrid back like look flustered at the moment.
How can you tell it's preseason? Even Luka Modric made a stray pass that was intercepted easily by the Mexican side.
Viñas earns a corner, the third of the match for America who looke far and wide the better side through the first 10 minutes.
Madrid push up the park for the first time, but their first surge forward comes up empty. Fantastic start for America here from San Fransico.
Another chance for America, this time it was Aquino with some space to have a go in the heart of the box. Kroos was there to throw himself in front of the shot to avoid the 2-0
GOLLLLLLL CLUB AMERICA!!!!! GOLLLLL HENRY MARTIN!!!! What a touch in the box to settle a ball intended on goal right on his laces and the Mexican forward slips it past Lunin.
Another corner for America who look anxious to pressure early on. This effort was headed towards the front post but Casemiro dealt with the danger
First corner of the match goes to America, but the first push forward is cleared away by Benzema, who is never a stranger to doing the dirty work.
We are undeway from Oracle Park!!!
This isn't the first time these two teams have met for a friendly. Real Madrid won the last meeting between these two teams 3-2 to with goals from Sergio Canales, Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. That game took place... at Oracle Park.
We are just 10 minutes away from kickoff at Oracle Park.
Fidalgo meets his maker
Spaniard and former Real Madrid cantera man Alvaro Fidalgo has become a staple of the Club America midfield. He scored six goals in his first full season at the club last year. The midfielder was on the books of Real Madrid since 2012, and has since made Mexico his home.
Some soccer in San Fran
The dirt has been patched over and Oracle Park is ready for some football. For much as it looks like a football pitch, the iconic outfield scenes of McCovey Cove and the Coke bottle and the glove in center field is a dead giveaway of where we are.
Benzema to play
Real Madrid's trigger man, and front runner for Balon D'Or Karim Benzema was held out of the opening preseason match of Los Blancos' tour, and had a scare during training this week. The Frenchman has recovered in time and will be featured in tonight's starting XI
Oracle Park
Tonight the home of San Francisco Giants lends itself to the footballing world as Oracle Park goes from baseball diamond to football pitch for tonight’s marquee preseason match up. Oracle Park was opened in 2011 and has been the scene for many memorable moments in Giants history. Tonight the footballing world will set it’s sights on the baseball park where we are so used to watching home runs fly into McCovey Cove in right field.
Last time out: Club America
The Mexican side is in the thick of their league campaign, but have made time for some of the biggest clubs in the world having already played Chelsea and Man City on their preseason tours. Both of those games against Englsih Giants resulted in 2-1 defeats, and America is coming off of a 2-0 away loss to Club Tijuana on Sunday.
Last time out Real Madrid
El Claisco is El Classic, and friendly or not there would be blood boiling in the cauldron that was Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. It was Real Madrid’s first friendly of the preseason, and they began with a bang against arch rivals, FC Barcelona. Barca new boy, Raphina, had the lone goal in the 27th minute to give the Blaugrana the win in the early season derby.
We are live from Oracle Park
Hello everyone and welcome to San Francisco for tonight’s main event of the evening. The home of the Giants go from diamond to pitch as the most prolific club in world football comes to town to take on a Mexican giant in Club America. Los Blancos are on their second stop of their tour around the US, while America takes a brief break from the Mexican league for this midseason friendly.
Club America vs. Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s preseason tour carries on with their second match on the slate. Tonight they will be in San Francisco as Club America comes to town to take their shot a the European Champions. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, scores and highlights from Oralce Park.