July 27, (THEWILL) – In his first pre-season game, Karim Benzema scored a sensational goal, even though his equaliser was not enough, as Club America managed to hold the reigning European and Spanish champions, Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at Oracle Park, San Francisco.
A fast start by the Mexican team earned Club America an early lead, but Benzema tied the score with a brilliantly timed low curler following a swift combination with Marco Asensio. At halftime, Eden Hazard took over for the Frenchman as Real Madrid practically switched to a new lineup.
Both sides traded penalties in the 55th and 81st minutes, resulting in a final score of 2-2. Hazard scored from the penalty spot for Real after teammate and right back, Lucas Vazquez, was brought down in the box by a challenge.
However, Alvaro Fidalgo, a former Real Madrid youth player, earned a penalty with eight minutes left on the clock, when he dribbled his way into the box. He then stepped up to take the penalty shot himself. Although his initial attempt was saved, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin had strayed too far off his line, necessitating a retake, which he buried successfully.
Club America eventually earned their victory, since they had previously fallen 2-1 to Chelsea and Manchester City in recent friendly. It will seek to take some momentum from the encounter into the Liga MX season, where it has started with one win in four matches, with a date against Leon coming up this weekend. Real Madrid will next play Juventus in one final pre-season friendly in the United States.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
