European soccer powers battle in front of 65,000 at Levi’s.
Manchester United wins slipshod shootout over Real Madrid before 65,109 at Levi’s Stadium
Some of the world’s best soccer players did not perform a clinic Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Unless an almost comedic display of penalty kicking can be considered something to behold.
With only three of 10 shots converted, the performance was at least something to talk about after Manchester United defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in front of 65,109 fans in an International Champions Cup game.
Thank goodness the trumped-up tournament is nothing more a series of preseason exhibitions. Had this been a meaningful moment, such as the one coming Aug. 8 with these European soccer titans playing for the Super Cup title in Macedonia, then there would be an earthquake felt throughout England and Spain.
Instead, it’s a footnote for the impending seasons.
“Penalty kicks are something very
American,” Man United coach Jose Mourinho said. “They like this kind of decision.”
Well, not exactly the way this one unfolded.
It started badly when United’s Anthony Martial’s moon shot sailed way over the net. Then goalkeeper David De Gea blocked Mateo Kovacic. Then Keylor Navas blocked Scott McTominay with De Gea blocking Oscar. Finally Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored. Phew.
But it didn’t end until Daley Blind converted whereas Casemiro rattled a final Real attempt off the crossbar after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed the result as unimportant.
“Overall, I’m satisfied,” he declared.
Gold Cup final
It’s going to be a different atmosphere Wednesday night at Levi’s as the Bay Area’s big week of soccer continues with the Gold Cup championship. The United States will play either Mexico or Jamaica in the championship for the North, Central American and Caribbean region known as CONCACAF.
Nothing was at stake on a hot Sunday afternoon other than pride from two of the world’s most historic clubs. The coaches put their top units against their opponent’s junior varsity players, leaving lots of questions about what will happen during the Super Cup.
“I don’t think the teams are going to be the same,” Mourinho said. “The motivation isn’t the same. The circumstances are totally different.”
Real didn’t have mega star Cristiano Ronaldo, who stayed behind for the birth of twins. But Zidane started the game with the nucleus of a team that has won consecutive Champions League titles, something no other club had ever done.
United’s roster still is developing in the offseason after the Red Devils finished sixth in the English Premier League last season.
“You say a test is the right word but I prefer to say the experiences,” Mourinho said of the game.
Test or otherwise, fans who usually only get to watch these clubs through a television screen didn’t care. They marched into Levi’s wearing red jerseys for United, white for Madrid.
This was their moment to enjoy a European soccer experience.
Super fans
United super fan Mike Casey and friends were singing supporters’ songs while rambling through the stadium corridors a half hour before kickoff. The Pasadena man has been following Man United around the country this summer, Sunday being his third game.
“I’d drive, I’d walk, I’d bike if it takes me to see United,” he said.
The Englishman began watching his favorite team through VHS productions the Best of Football, about the United legend George Best, who also played with the old Earthquakes.
“I’d watch more of that than Superman or Spider Man,” Casey said.
United gave its fans something to shout about in the first half with Jesse Lingard scoring in the 45th minute on a sitter set up beautifully by Martial.
Real, though, was not without a counter punch. Casemiro scored on a penalty kick in the 69th minute for the equalizer.
But in the end Casemiro failed to make the one Real needed the most.