Jude Bellingham and Joselu, with two fantastic goals, debuted this Wednesday as scorers for Real Madrid this preseason and set the course for the meringues to defeat Manchester United 2-0, their second win in two friendlies on this tour of the United States .
Bellingham already left his mark for his exceptional qualities in the victory against Milan (3-2) and this time he stood out with an early goal in which he took advantage of a pass from Rüdiger behind a sleeping Manchester United defense, controlled from perfect form with his left foot and masterfully chipped it over Onana to score his first goal as a white player.
Already at the end of the match, a very insistent Joselu was rewarded for his effort with a Chilean from Lucas Vázquez's center to close the final 2-0 in style. Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. shone in a first half in which Madrid was superior, while Manchester United improved in the second half and the game was more balanced.
Even with the absence of Arda Güler, who has not yet made his debut in the white jersey due to physical discomfort, Madrid will arrive with good feelings for their next game on this US tour, nothing less than the classic against Barcelona on Saturday July 29 in Dallas.
With two ex-Madridistas in their eleven (Casemiro and Varane), the duel began fatally for Manchester United, since in the 6th minute Bellingham put the whites ahead and also the 'red devils' lost the promising Mainoo due to injury (Eriksen entered his place). Carlo Ancelotti's men started stomping, carrying the weight of the game and exploiting the weaknesses of a too weak Manchester United behind.
Vinícius Jr. was a headache for the English, especially on the counterattack and with space in front, and he was able to score in the first half on several occasions. The clearest of the Brazilian was after a 'death pass' from Carvajal that he failed to define. Bellingham also showed signs of hierarchy in the last third of the field and did not hesitate to confront Lisandro Martínez after an ugly tackle by the Argentine that ended in a yellow card.
Faced with the powerful physical display of Madrid, Manchester United had a hard time finding their options in attack but they could have equalized before the break through Garnacho, whose free shot went through the roof, and also at the hands of Rashford, weighed down by a bad control when he was left alone in front of Lunin.
After the 'revolution' of changes ordered at half-time by Ancelotti, who changed the entire defense and also replaced Bellingham, Madrid lost ground against a more courageous Manchester United after the restart.
A very incisive Garnacho stood out above all on the left wing and with a great and dry shot he tested Lunin's reflexes. Bruno Fernandes and McTominay were also around the goal for a Manchester United with little gunpowder on offense, but Madrid couldn't boast of aim either.
The most unfortunate in that sense was Joselu, who tried it three times (after a pass from Brahim, with a header and after a corner kick) but on all of them he was left with honey on his lips.
After several interventions of great merit from a solid Lunin under the sticks, Joselu finally found the spoils of the goal with a huge Chilean kick and celebrated his first goal of this preseason by kissing the shield.
Real Madrid: Monday; Carvajal (Lucas Vazquez, m.46), Rüdiger (Militao, m.46), Praise (Nacho, m.46), Fran Garcia (Mendy, m.46); Tchouameni (Kroos, 46), Modric (Brahim, 62), Camavinga, Bellingham (Valverde, 46); Rodrigo (Joselu, m.62), Vinicius Jr. (Nico Peace, m.72).
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka (Dalot, m.62), Varane (Maguire, m.62), Lysandro Martinez (Lindelöf, m.62), Shaw (McTominay, m.62); Casemiro (Williams, m.62), Kobbie Mainoo (Christian Eriksen, m.7; van de Beek, m.62); Mason Mount (Pellistri, m.62), Bruno Fernandes, Grenache (Antony, m.62); Rashford (Jadon Sancho, m.62).
Coach: Erik ten Hag.
Goals: 1-0, m.6: Bellingham. 2-0, m.89: Joselu.
Bookings: Nacho at Real Madrid and Lisandro Martínez and Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United.
Incidents: Friendly match between Real Madrid and Manchester United played at the NRG Stadium in Houston corresponding to the Soccer Champions Tour 2023 played before 67,801 people.
