Real Madrid vs. Club America result: Karim Benzema nets goal in return, but friendly ends 2-2

Simon Borg

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Real Madrid vs. Club America result: Karim Benzema nets goal in return, but friendly ends 2-2 image

Karim Benzema scored a world-class goal in his first preseason match, but Club America held defending European and Spanish champions Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw in a friendly tuneup match at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Club America claimed an early lead which was a just reward for a fiery start by the Mexican side, but Benzema equalized with a perfectly placed low curler after a quick combination with a teammate. The Frenchman played the entire first half and was replaced by Eden Hazard at the break.

In addition to Hazard, Real Madrid virtually introduced a new lineup for a second half which saw the two teams exchange penalty kicks for the final 2-2 scoreline. First it was Hazard who converted for Real Madrid from the spot after teammate and right back Lucas Vazquez went down in the box on a challenge.

But with eight minutes remaining, former Real Madrid youth product Alvaro Fidalgo earned a penalty with a dribbling run into the box and then stepped up to convert the penalty himself. He scored on the second attempt after his first one was saved, but Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin had come way off his line, resulting in a retake ordered by the referee.

Real Madrid had a flurry of opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the match, but Club America goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez was up to the task, including denying David Alaba a big chance with the final kick of the match. Jimenez's outstretched save preserved the 2-2 draw.

It was a deserved result for Club America, which had previously lost 2-1 to both Chelsea and Manchester City in friendlies held over the past week. It will hope to take some momentum from the match into the Liga MX season, where it has started with one win in four matches, with a date against Leon coming up this weekend.

Real Madrid will be taking on Juventus for one more preseason friendly in the USA before focusing on the first piece of silverware that will be up for grabs when they face Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup (Aug. 10).

MORE: Real Madrid transfer news updates

Benzema back to scoring goals

Real Madrid won the Champions League and La Liga with a formula that's not about to change for the upcoming season, especially with the personnel virtually unchanged. They won't be preoccupied with outplaying the opposition, as long as their star players make the big plays on both sides of the ball when it matters most.

Karim Benzema, who turns 35 in December, will continue to be that difference-maker in the attack. Only 22 minutes into his first preseason game, he scored on an exquisite strike and he nearly tallied an even better goal just before the halftime whistle.

The Frenchman, whom many expect to win the Ballon d'Or later this year, is back to wreaking havoc. His movement across the attacking front proved difficult to track for Club America, and his vision and combination play with his teammates create chances out of nothing. There's clearly plenty more to come from Benzema this season.

Ancelotti has big decisions to make in midfield

The seemingly inseparable Modric-Casemiro-Kroos veteran midfield group was outdone by the second half unit of Camavinga-Tchouameni-Ceballos. While the older players found it hard to seize control of the match against an energetic America side, the young crew contributed noticeably more to the attack and regularly pushed up in and around the box. Real Madrid have a transition plan they need to begin working through this year.

Hazard has a ways to go, but signs are positive

The penalty kick goal will lift Eden Hazard's spirits as he continues to work his way back to being an impact player. Occupying the false nine role in lieu of Karim Benzema in the second half clearly doesn't suit him, but his willingness to apply himself to the position is an encouraging sign.

There has been a different air about him in the first two preseason matches: He's getting on with it and working hard. If Carlo Ancelotti can get some more production out of him in 2022/23 — he had just one goal and two assists last season — it may not make up for his rich contract and transfer fee, but it would be a success nonetheless given his injury history.

Club America needs a challenge 

In three matches against Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid — three teams among the top 10 favorites to win the UEFA Champions League — Club America looked like they belonged on the field. So why the inconsistency in Liga MX play, where they're coming off a loss to Club Tijuana?

There's work to do — they need one of their goal scorers to step up and produce — but it's clearly not a question of talent or tactics with Club America. That would have been exposed by the stacked Euro foes that Las Aguilas faced. Instead, manager Fernando "Tano" Ortiz's biggest challenge might lie in motivating his squad. When they're in the mood, they're one of the best and deepest teams in Mexico. But can they stay engaged over the course of the next 13 Liga MX matches to actually show it? 

Real Madrid vs. Club America final score

  1H 2H Final
Real Madrid 1 1 2
Club America 1 1 2

Goals:
AME — Henry Martin (Miguel Layun) — 5th min.
RMA — Karim Benzema (Marco Asensio) — 22nd min.
RMA — Eden Hazard (penalty) — 55th min.
AME — Alvaro Fidalgo (penalty) — 82nd min.

Real Madrid lineup:

Real Madrid 1st Half (4-3-3, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy — Modric, Casemiro, Kroos — Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Real Madrid 2nd Half (4-3-3, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Vazquez (Vinicius Tobias), Militao, Rudiger (Vallejo), Alaba — Ceballos, Tchouameni, Camavinga — Valverde, Hazard, Rodrygo

Club America lineup:

Club America 1st Half (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ochoa (Jimenez) (GK) — J. Sanchez, Lara, Caceres, Reyes — Dos Santos, Aquino — Layun, Vinas, Zendejas — Martin

Club America 60th Min. (4-2-3-1, right to left): Jimenez (GK) — Layun, Lara, Valdez, Reyes — R. Sanchez, Fidalgo — Damm, Valdes, Cabecita Rodriguez — R. Martinez

Real Madrid vs. Club America live updates, highlights from preseason

Final: Real Madrid 2, Club America 2

91st min.: David Alaba had the winner on his foot, but Club America 'keeper Oscar Jimenez makes a sensational save on the last kick of the match.

82nd min.: Goal Club America! Fidalgo places the ball inside the post and it's the equalizer on the penalty.

(WATCH the goal in Australia.)

80th min.: Club America earn a penalty! Alvaro Fidalgo, the ex-Real Madrid youth product earns it with a dribbling move in the box. Fidalgo takes it, but Real Madrid 'keeper Andriy Lunin saves it. Except he was well off his line and they'll do it over.

72nd min.: Club America 'keeper Oscar Jimenez has two big interventions. He stopped another shot from Aurelien Tchouameni and then a cross from left back David Alaba who pushed all the way to the end line.

65th min.: The subs have helped America. A Miguel Layun cross nearly finds new center forward Roman Martinez. Meanwhile, Real Madrid bring on Vinicius Tobias for Lucas Vazquez at right back.

60th min.: SUBS Club America. Seven subs made, while Real Madrid bring on Jesus Vallejo for Antonio Rudiger at center back.

Club America 60th Min. (4-2-3-1, right to left): 27-Jimenez (GK) — 19-Layun, 23-Lara, 18-Valdez, 206-Reyes — 20-Sanchez, 8-Fidalgo — 25-Damm, 10-Valdes, 11-Cabecita — 200-Roman

59th min.: Real Madrid are threatening. Aurelien Tchouameni with the shot over the bar at the top of the box. Madrid have the upper hand to start the second half.

54th min.: Penalty Real Madrid! Lucas Vazquez draws the foul in the box. Young America left back Mauricio Reyes makes contact with Vazquez's foot. Eden Hazard takes it and slots it inside the left post.

(WATCH the goal in Australia.)

48th min.: Eden Hazard, who took over for Benzema as the central striker, nearly hits the frame. Great ball by Valverde into the center.

46th min.: Second half is underway and Real Madrid make eight changes. Lunin, Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez are the only ones that remain.

Real Madrid 2nd Half (right to left): 13-Lunin (GK) — 17-Vazquez, 3-Militao, 22-Rudiger, 4-Alaba — 19-Ceballos, 18-Tchouameni, 25-Camavinga — 15-Valverde, 7-Hazard, 21-Rodrygo.

Halftime: Real Madrid 1, Club America 1

Halftime: Club America came out flying and had more energy and intensity than Real Madrid who have only played a single preseason match so far (America have played six matches in their new season, friendlies included). The difference was evident and America were rewarded with a goal that was slightly fortuitous.

But Real Madrid never panicked and found their way back into the game, led by their captain Karim Benzema, who began to get touches in the attack and combining with his teammates. The equalizer came off one of those combinations. He also nearly found Vinicius Jr. for a goal and then went on a solo run and narrowly missed scoring the best goal of the preseason in his first game.

45th min.: Flashpoint between the two teams as Federico Vinas and Lucas Vazquez go nose to nose. Vinas felt that the Real Madrid right back was showing too much of his studs on a challenge.

41st min.: Benzema nearly scores a golazo! He dances between two America defenders and blasts a right-footed shot that just missed the right corner.

37th min.: Poor giveaway by Pedro Aquino just outside the Club America box and his teammate Emilio Lara comes to the rescue with a sliding tackle on Vini Jr in the box. It's now a more even match. Real Madrid have grown into this match.

32nd min.: SUB Club America — It's a sub we've seen throughout the Club America friendlies. The backup 'keeper, Oscar Jimenez, takes over for Memo Ochoa.

22nd min.: Goal Real Madrid! First real chance and it's a goal. That's what you expect from Benzema, who scores in his first appearance. He plays a wall pass off Marco Asensio and he places the ball inside the far post. World-class finish.

(WATCH the goal in Australia.)

15th min.: Another chance for America! Alejandro Zendejas sends a shot just wide of the goal. Solid combination play with Henry Martin bringing the ball down for Zendejas at the top of the box.

13th min.: It's been all Club America. Real Madrid can't get out of their own half and the Mexican side's pressure is causing issues. It's been an intense start by America and Real Madrid are yet to respond.

5th min.: Goal Club America! Miguel Layun's shot finds Henry Martin who takes a touch, shoots and scores! Real Madrid stunned.

(WATCH the goal in Australia.)

4th min.: Vinicius Jr. gives away a corner kick and it looked like Casemiro committed a hand ball on the ball in the box. No VAR at Oracle Park.

1st min.: We're underway and Real Madrid are already in the Club America half. Real are in white, Club America in blue.

5 mins from kickoff: Both teams are on the field. We're moments away from kickoff.

15 mins from kickoff: It's already electric at Oracle Park. And it's only warmups.

35 mins from kickoff: Here's the live pregame show from Real Madrid with a look inside the stadium. It looks packed already.

100 mins from kickoff: Real Madrid starting lineup is out:

120 mins from kickoff: Karim Benzema confirmed himself that he'll be on the field for the Champions League winners.

Real Madrid vs Club America lineups

Karim Benzema starts, and he'll be joined by Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr. in the attack. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin fills in for Thibaut Courtois in goal, while Ferland Mendy gets the start at left back, as Antonio Rudiger returns to his center back position after filling in last match. 

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 13-Andriy Lunin (GK) — 17-Lucas Vazquez, 22-Antonio Rudiger, 6-Nacho, 23-Ferland Mendy — 10-Luka Modric, 14-Casemiro, 8-Toni Kroos — 11-Marco Asensio, 9-Karim Benzema, 20-Vinicius Jr.

Real Madrid subs (17): 1-Thibaut Courtois (GK), 26-Luis Lopez (GK), 30-Lucas Canizares (GK), 27-Vinicius Tobias, 3-Eder Militao, 5-Jesus Vallejo, 4-David Alaba, 16-Alvaro Odriozola, 25-Eduardo Camavinga, 18-Aurelien Tchouameni, 19-Dani Ceballos, 15-Federico Valverde, 24-Mariano Diaz, 21-Rodrygo, 7-Eden Hazard, 29-Juanmi Latasa, 12-Borja Mayoral

Reports from Mexico say that defender Luis Fuentes will be sitting out after taking a blow to the head against Club Tijuana. Under-fire manager Fernando "Tano" Ortiz also indicated that star forward Jonathan "Cabecita" Rodriguez should see minutes. The club's Spanish midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo is a product of Real Madrid's youth ranks, but starts on the bench.

Club America starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13-Guillermo Ochoa — 3-Jorge Sanchez, 23-Emilio Lara, 4-Sebastian Caceres, 206-Mauricio Reyes — 6-Jonathan Dos Santos, 5-Pedro Aquino — 19-Miguel Layun, 24-Federico Vinas, 17-Alejandro Zendejas — 21-Henry Martin

Club America subs (11): 27-Oscar Jimenez (GK), 35-Fernando Tapia (GK), 14-Nestor Araujo, 18-Bruno Valdez, 2-Luis Fuentes, 201-Sebastian Martinez, 20-Richard Sanchez, 11-Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodriguez, 8-Alvaro Fidalgo, 10-Diego Valdes, 187-Karel Campos, 25-Jurgen Damm, 202-Iker Moreno, 200-Roman Martinez

MORE: Rundown of summer club friendlies in the USA

Real Madrid vs. Club America TV channel, live stream

  U.K. USA Canada Australia
Date Wed., July 27 Tue., July 26 Tue., July 26 Wed., July 27
Time 03:30 BST 22:30 ET 22:30 ET 12:30 AEST
TV channel Premier Sports 1 FS2, Univision,
TUDN, Fox Deportes		  —  —
Streaming Premier Player HD fuboTV, Fox Sports Go DAZN Paramount+

U.K.: Tuesday's match between Real Madrid and Club America from Oracle Park in San Francisco will be televised in the United Kingdom by Premier Sports 1 and is available to stream on Premier Player HD.

USA: In the United States, the friendly match will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2, which can be streamed on fuboTV. The match will also be streamed by Fox Sports on its streaming platform Fox Sports Go.

Canada: Real Madrid vs. America will be streamed by DAZN in Canada.

Australia: Paramount+ will carry the match for fans in Australia.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.