- Inter Milan 0 Real Madrid 3 (Jese 29, Varane 55, James Rodriguez 88)
James Rodriguez scored a stunning free-kick as Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 3-0 in the International Champions Cup group game in Guangzhou.
The Colombian struck a breathtaking set-piece from distance after goals from Jese and Raphael Varane had put the Spanish giants on top.
It was Jese who broke the deadlock when he ran onto Marcelo’s brilliant clipped ball before cutting inside and lashing the ball in.
Roberto Mancini’s side were restricted to few chances with Mauro Icardi, who was linked with a switch to Los Blancos, rifling a curling effort from outside the box just wide while Hernanes had a free-kick beaten away by Keylor Navas.
The second half was a similar story with Madrid on top despite making several changes including keeper Kiko Casilla making his debut and youngster Denis Cheryshev coming on. And Cheryshev looked impressive and went close to increasing the Spanish giants’ lead with a fizzing effort from the edge of the box that went inches over.
Los Blancos doubled their lead soon after with Varane volleying in fellow substitute Lucas Vazquez’s inviting cross from the right.
Both sides made a host of substitutions which disrupted the flow of the game. But it was a Madrid substitute who had the final say with Rodriguez curling a beautiful free-kick into the corner from 30 yards to cap off a comfortable victory for Madrid.
KEY MOMENTS
4’ – BALE EFFORT! A chance for Bale but he drags his left-footed effort across goal.
14’ – GOOD SAVE! Ronaldo is lining up a 35-yard free-kick after Isco is adjudged to have been fouled, and he forces Handanovic into a fine one-handed save with his dipping set piece.
16’ – RONALDO MISS! Big chance for Real. Jese lays the ball off to Ronaldo who drags his effort wide – you would have expected him to hit the target from there.
20’ – ICARDI SHOT! Icardi with a low curling shot from 25 yards that goes inches wide with Navas scrambling across his goal.
23’ – DOUBLE SAVE! The corner from Kroos falls to Isco whose volley from outside the box is brilliantly saved by Handanovic who then blocks the rebound from Jese with his legs. Fantastic goalkeeping.
29’ – GOAL! Inter Milan 0-1 Real Madrid. Marcelo’s clipped ball finds Jese, who cuts inside and fires the ball at the near post to give Real a deserved lead.
38’ – RONALDO STRIKE! Jese finds Ronaldo with a ball with the outside of his left foot but the Portugal star’s first-time effort, which was a toe poke, is parried by Handanovic.
56’ – GOAL! Inter Milan 0-2 Real Madrid. Varane volleys the ball in from six yards out from Vazquez’s cross following a corner. That was a striker’s finish from the Frenchman.
88’ – GOAL! Inter Milan 0-3 Real Madrid. Rodriguez takes the set-piece from 30 yards and curls the ball into the left-hand corner. A special goal.
KEY STATS
Inter Milan have lost their last three pre-season friendlies.
Inter and Real have met each other on 18 occasions in all competitions, with Inter having the upper hand with eight victories compared to seven for Real.
TALKING POINT
Which of the Madrid squad players impressed the most? All the hype has been about Martin Odegaard but Denis Cheryshev showed his confidence with a solid display. The Russian’s pace and direct style makes him an entertaining player and he went close to scoring with a good strike. His end product may have been hit and miss but the 24-year-old showed glimpses of his talent and his potential as an impact player.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan): The Slovenian may have conceded three goals but it would have been at least double that had he not pulled off a string of fine saves. The former Udinese shot-stopper denied Ronaldo and Isco with brilliant saves and commanded his box well. His agility will put many clubs on red alert if he chooses to leave the Italian giants this summer.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid: Navas 6, Pepe 5, Danilo 5, Ramos 5, Casemiro 5, Kroos 5, Marcelo 7, Isco 6, Jese 7, Ronaldo 6, Bale 5. Subs: Vazquez 7, Rodriguez 8, Cheryshev 6, Casilla 5, Varane 7, Carjaval 5, Arbeloa 5, Silva 4, Llorente 5.
Inter Milan: Handanovic 9, Montoya 5, Ranocchia 6, Murillo 5, Jesus 5, Brozovic 6, Kovacic 6, Kondogbia 5, Hernanes 6, Palacio 4, Icardi 5. Subs: Gnoukouri 5, Guarin 4, Andrioli 5, Santon 5, Nagatomo 5, D’Ambrosio 5, Taider 4.