Jordan misses the penalty, Liverpool pay the price
MUNICH: Jordan Henderson’s missed penalty proved decisive as Atletico Madrid beat Liverpool FC in a shoot-out to win the Audi Cup.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had impressed in beating Bayern Munich 3-0, while Atletico Madrid came from behind to see off Napoli 2-1 in the semifinals.
Both teams rung the changes for the finale of the exhibition tournament, resulting in a predictably disjointed contest at the Allianz Arena.
Keidi Bare gave Atletico the lead with a first-half header, which had looked set to be enough prior to Roberto Firmino’s 83rd-minute spot-kick.
But it was Atletico who edged the shoot-out following the end of normal time, with all of their players - including former Anfield favourite Fernando Torres - successful from 12 yards, while Henderson saw his effort crucially saved by Miguel Angel Moya.
Liverpool had the better of a low-key start to the contest and were the first to really threaten when Dominic Solanke glanced a header wide from an excellent Ben Woodburn cross. But they fell behind in the 33rd minute when teenager Bare struck.
Liverpool made six substitutions ahead of the second half, with Firmino and Henderson among those thrown into the fray by Klopp.
REAL WIN IN SHOOTOUT
CHICAGO: Marcelo scored on the decisive penalty kick as La Liga and Champions League title holders Real Madrid took a shootout victory Wednesday over the Major League Soccer AllStars.
Real Madrid played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the MLS All-Star Game before taking the shootout 4-2 before a sellout crowd of 61,000 at Soldier Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Borja Mayoral opened the scoring in the 59th minute for Real Madrid, which controlled possession of the ball throughout the contest.
Mayoral found open space in front of the goal before taking a short pass. His well-timed shot deflected off the leg of a diving defender and into the back of the net for the Spanish giants, who were playing without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dom Dwyer, an England-born member of the US national team, equalized for the MLS squad in the 87th minute with a header from in close.
KEIDI BARE GAVE ATLETICO THE LEAD WITH A FIRSTHALF HEADER PRIOR TO FIRMINO’S 83RDMINUTE SPOTKICK.