Real Madrid Entertains Fans With 5-1 Win Over Galaxy

Cristiano Ronaldo / By Tri Le

Carson, CA -- Before a record crowd of more than 30,000 fans at the Home Depot Center on Thursday night, the LA Galaxy hosted Real Madrid in what has become an annual summer friendly matchup. The Galaxy started the game with their normal lineup featuring the big three of Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and David Beckham. However, fans would not get to see the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Mesut Ozil until the second half.

Real Madrid did start Iker Casillas, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, and Gonzalo Higuain, which would prove to be more than enough on this night. In just the second minute of play, Angel Di Maria slipped the ball through the Galaxy defense to Higuain who easily got behind David Junior Lopes. Higuain was left in position to score past a diving Josh Saunders to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead.

Real Madrid v. LA Galaxy 2012 / By Tri Le

In the eleventh minute, Real Madrid would strike again when the Galaxy defense failed to put adequate pressure on Angel Di Maria. Di Maria danced with the ball in the 18-yard box and fired a strong shot to the near post that beat Saunders and put Real Madrid up 2-0.

The highlight of the night for the Galaxy came in the 23rd minute when David Beckham took a free-kick from about 30 yards out that bent across goal and to the back post. Omar Gonzalez headed the ball to the front of goal as he was falling out of bounds and Lopes bodied it in for a goal as Casillas was put out of position from the free-kick.

Real Madrid v. Galaxy 2012 / By Tri Le

With the score of the game at 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid, there was some more excitement in the air. However, in the 36th minute, Real Madrid would pull away when Jose Maria Callejon got behind David Junior Lopes and scored with his left foot on a pass from Higuain. The goal gave Real Madrid a 3-1 lead heading into the second half.

Cristiano Ronaldo / By Tri Le

For the second half, the Galaxy subbed out all of its players and gave some of its younger players a chance against one of the world's best soccer clubs. Real Madrid also brought in a new line-up for the second half with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Mesut Ozil.

Real Madrid would put the finishing touches on this exhibition with goals from Morata Alvaro in the 49th minute and Jesse Rodriquez in the 84th minute.

However, the play of Ronaldo drew the most excitement from the fans with his footwork, passing, and bicycle shot attempt in the 86th minute that would have scored on goal if it had not been shot into the arms of Brian Perk. For the younger Galaxy players, such as Jose Villareal , Bryan Jordan, and Perk, their play was also well-received by the fans.

This friendly would end in a 5-1 win by Real Madrid with soccer fans treated to the play of the La Liga Champions before they head into another year of European competitions.

Real Madrid v. LA Galaxy / By Tri Le

The Galaxy will next play Seattle on this Sunday, as the MLS season rolls on.

By Brian Kowalski
Staff Reporter for The Daily Sports Herald