Report
08 August 2009
Alberto Navarro (Toronto) / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo
Real Madrid showcased brilliant football at the BMO Field on Friday night against Toronto FC. Raul (twice), Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Robben scored for the Whites while Gala netted the Canadian side's only goal. Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and Albiol made their Madridista debuts.
It didn’t take long for Real Madrid to score. Twelve minutes into the first half Raul got rid of two defenders using his trademark dribble and scored the opener with his right foot, the ball hitting the crossbar before finding the back of the net. Just five minutes later, a long ball from Lass was headed by Cristiano Ronaldo down to Benzema, who gave the ball back to Ronaldo. The Portuguese star netted the second goal for the Whites after a one-touch shot with his right foot (17’).
Kaka participated in every offensive play by the Whites and even had a chance to score with a shot from outside the box which sailed just wide (23’). It was the prelude to Real Madrid’s third goal of the evening. Albiol received Ronaldo’s corner kick and crossed the ball towards the far post, where Metzelder was waiting to assist Raul. The captain defeated Stefan Frei with a header on the 35-minute mark.
Granero, Pepe, Torres and Dudek came on for Kaka, Albiol, Arbeloa and Casillas at the start of the second half. Some minutes later, Xabi Alonso made his debut. The new signing, Negredo and Robben came on for Raul, Guti and Cristiano Ronaldo on the 62-minute mark.
The substitutions were soon followed by yet another goal for the Whites when Benzema scored after a great play from Negredo (65’). Granero, another academy player, had a chance of scoring but his shot went wide (70’). Four minutes later, Gala netted the goal for Toronto much to the delight of the fans packing the BMO Field (74’). Real Madrid sealed the victory five minutes from time when Robben received a genius through ball from Benzema and scored the definitive 5-1.