Real Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in a pre-season friendly at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on Saturday.
The Galaxy went ahead five minutes before halftime when defender Todd Dunivant scored and doubled the advantage a minute into the second period after US international Landon Donovan slotted home a penalty kick.
The visitors had made eight substitutions at the break, introducing several of the squad’s big names, and once they had settled after conceding the second, Jose Mourinho’s men set about avoiding an embarrassing result in front of 89,134 spectators.
Argentine international striker Gonzalo Higuain pulled one back for Real in the 51st minute, latching on to a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo, and the same player equalised ten minutes later with a deft chip.
Real scored the winning goal in the 71st minute when Galaxy substitute goalkeeper Brian Perk could only parry a shot into the path of Spanish midfielder Xavi Alonso, whose looping shot from the edge of the area took a deflection before finding the net.
Meanwhile, David Beckham, who was ruled out of England’s World Cup campaign with a ruptured Achilles tendon, said on Saturday he hopes to be back with his US club Los Angeles Galaxy next month.
The 35-year-old English midfielder injured his left Achilles’ tendon in March during a Serie A match while on loan from the Galaxy to AC Milan.
Speaking Saturday on the Fox Soccer Channel during the pregame show before the Galaxy’s friendly against Real Madrid, Beckham said he saw a doctor earlier in the day.
The doctor projected an October return, but Beckham said he responded “two or three weeks before that.”
“It’s just about getting strength back in my calf.”
The Galaxy close the Major League Soccer regular season on October 24, and the post-season will conclude with the MLS Cup on November 21.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
