Santa Clara (California): Manchester United defeated Real Madrid in an ugly penalty shootout Sunday with seven players failing to convert from the spot after their International Champions Cup match ended 1-1 here.
United, who won the shootout 2-1, took the lead just before the break when Anthony Martial slalomed into the box past three defenders to set up Jesse Lingard from close range.
Both sides made a raft of changes at the break, which upset the rhythm of the game. The sweltering conditions were also a factor as players struggled to get the tempo back up, while the 65,109 fans eagerly awaited the next goal.
It came in the 69th minute after Victor Lindelof took Real’s Theo Hernandez down in the box and Brazilian Casemiro scored from the penalty spot.
Casemiro would get another chance from the spot in the shootout but hit the crossbar with Real’s fifth kick to leave United the winners.
The first four penalty takers all missed, prompting incredulous laughter from a crowd denied much of a game in the second half. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Daley Blind found the net for United while Luis Miguel Quezada was the only Real Madrid shooter to score.
Jose Mourinho was pleased to get the win but emphasised it was nothing more than a training exercise. His only real concern from the game was midfielder Ander Herrera limping off just minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half.
The two sides will meet again in the UEFA Super Cup August 8 in Macedonia, which will be a much more competitive affair.
European champions Madrid next play Manchester City while United face Barcelona Wednesday.
