Los Angeles: Substitute Marco Asensio made an immediate impact by scoring two early second half goals as Real Madrid rallied to beat Juventus 3-1 in a pre-season exhibition contest, Saturday.
Asensio entered the game at the start of the second half and scored less than two minutes in before adding another in the 56th minute.
It was the first defeat for the Italian giants of the pre-season and the final match of the International Champions Cup campaign. The Serie A champions now open up their title defense at Chievo, August 18.
They were without new signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not make his debut against his former team. The Portuguese superstar skipped the club’s US tour because he was recovering from his World Cup performance.
Gareth Bale also scored for the European champions as the Welshman served notice that he is going to produce despite the loss of Ronaldo. Bale hit a stunning shot from 20 yards out in the 39th minute to level the score at 1-1 at the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
Asensio subbed in after half time and wasted no time getting on the board. He finished off a drive by side-footing a shot home in the 47th minute on a rush with Vinicius Jr, who also entered the game at half time.
Asensio scored just nine minutes later to make it 3-1 for Real on another unselfish pass, this time from Lucas Vazquez. Asensio’s shot deflected off the right arm of Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and trickled into the net.
Juventus’ lone score came in the 12th minute on an own goal by Real defender Dani Carvajal. Carvajal was trying to corral Joao Cancelo’s left side cross when he deflected the ball into his own net.
In another match, Andre Silva struck in the stoppage time to help AC Milan beat Barcelona 1-0.
