ALEX ESPINOZA
Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Mauro Icardi drove the winner past diving goalkeeper Jesus Fdez in the fifth round of penalty kicks to lift Inter Milan past Real Madrid after they tied 1-1 on Saturday in an International Champions Cup match.
Icardi also converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute to tie it. Referee Ricardo Salazar awarded the penalty kick after Inter newcomer Nemanja Vidic went down in the box on a challenge by Sobrino.
“We played well today,” Inter manager Walter Mazzarri said. “We have young guys and we started a new cycle. Obviously, we’re not going to be happy just participating (in the tournament). We’re looking to obtain results.”
Gareth Bale scored for Real Madrid in the 10th minute, unleashing a strike into the top left corner of the net from about 25 yards out. The Welsh star also bounced a header off the crossbar less than three minutes into the match and nearly converted a direct free kick in the 30th minute
“He had a really good holiday. Forty days,” Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said about Bale. “He’s fresh and he’s working really well. … Everyone is sure that it will be better for him this year.”
A sellout crowd of 62,583 fans watched the testy match at Memorial Stadium on the University of California campus. The contest featured four bookings and a shoving match broke out after a hard challenge from Real Madrid’s Raul de Tomas in the 48th minute.
The eight-club Guinness International Champions Cup will continue at various stadiums throughout North America until Aug. 4.
Bale only played the first half but starred on a day when virtually all of Real Madrid’s starting 11 was unavailable. Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, midfielder Luka Modric and defender Sergio Ramos — among others — did not play for the Champions League winner. Prized acquisitions James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos also were unavailable for Ancelotti.
Real Madrid controlled the pace for most of the game. Inter Milan made a late push after Ancelotti inserted second-half substitutes. Fdez had to make two tough saves on a quick flurry of shots in the 79th minute during Inter’s best chance to score a go-ahead goal.
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