Real Madrid tops MLS All-Stars 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 All-Stars.

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.

Dwyer was in the right place for the rebound after Dax McCarty’s header off a corner kick bounced off the post, winning a foot race with Real Madrid’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who entered late in the second half.

“It was important to go back with a win but now we are looking forward to the UEFA Super Cup,” said Mayoral, who was named player of the match.

Real Madrid will now return to Europe to meet Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup in Macedonia on August 8, then take on Barcelona in the two-legged Spanish Super Cup on August 13 and 16 before opening the La Liga season on August 20. - AFP