Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria (right) scores against LA Galaxy during their match in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday. (AFP)
AFP/Los Angeles
French striker Karim Benzema scored twice in the second half and Real Madrid coasted past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Thursday in the International Champions Cup friendly tournament.
Angel Di Maria also scored for Real, his 15th-minute goal putting the Spanish giants on the path to a fourth win in as many years over the two-time defending Major League Soccer champions. With the win, Real booked a clash with English Premiership club Everton in the winners’ bracket of the tournament today at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
On the undercard at the home of baseball’s Dodgers, the Galaxy—who had a spectacular goal from Jose Villarreal—will take on Italian side Juventus in the consolation bracket.
Chelsea top Inter
Chelsea passed their toughest test since Jose Mourinho returned as manager, posting a 2-0 win over Inter Milan, the team Mourhinho guided to the 2010 Champions League crown.
The victory, courtesy of goals from Oscar and Eden Hazard in the first half-hour, saw Chelsea book a meeting with AC Milan tomorrow.
Chelsea took the lead in the 12th minute as Nigeria’s Victor Moses broke through to the edge of the penalty area and passed to Oscar, who curled a superb shot past Samir Handanovic and into the upper corner of the net.
Chelsea doubled their advantage in controversial circumstances in the 28th minute. Moses was brought down on the edge of the area and a penalty was awarded despite the protests of Inter players—whose claim he was outside the box appeared to be justified by video replays.
Nevertheless, Belgian winger Hazard calmly took his shot, sending Handanovic the wrong way to notch his second penalty in as many matches.