Real Madrid took down the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 on Thursday night in the fourth match of the International Champions Cup.
The Spanish squad dominated play throughout the first 45 minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo causing havoc along the left wing. He nearly scored early on off a perfect header that wound up hitting the post. However, the Portuguese superstar wound up creating the opening goal when he received a perfect cross from Isco on the right wing. Ronaldo flicked a pass to Angel Di Maria down the middle and the Argentine tipped it over the oncoming goaltender to make it 1-0 at the 15 minute mark.
Ronaldo came off at halftime and was replaced by Karim Benzema. The Frenchman would score his first of two goals at the 51st minute off a perfect counterstrike. Isco raced down the left wing and slotted a cross right to Benzema who controlled with his first touch and blasted it into the far corner on his second.
Los Angeles would get one back in the 63rd when Jose Villarreal cut past two Madrid defenders and fired a shot past goalie Diego Lopez. The hope of a comeback would be short-lived though, as Madrid scored on another perfectly executed counterstrike in the 74th minute. This time Di Maria raced down the left wing and slotted in a cross to Benzema. The striker headed the shot into the net and gave Madrid a comfortable lead they would not relinquish.
Real Madrid now faces Everton on Saturday in Los Angeles with a spot in the final at stake. The Galaxy will get a taste of Italian champions Juventus with the chance to play the fifth place game on the line.
Watch highlights below.
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