Castilla take a point with ten men in Manchester

Real Madrid Castilla completed the group stage of the Premier League International Cup unbeaten following an away draw with Manchester City. Our academy team went ahead after just three minutes when Palacios found the net, but Lawrence levelled on 38’. In the second half, just as Arbeloa's boys were asserting their dominance, they were reduced to ten men when Pol Fortuny was given his marching orders with 64 minutes played. From that point on, they showed resilience and maturity to take their eighth point in four games (two wins and two draws).
The clash got underway in the best possible manner. Our boys took the lead with three minutes on the clock, when Palacios whipped a precise finish into the back of the net from the edge of the box. They could have extended their lead on 20’ after a fine collective move, but Mesonero was slightly off balance when he poked his finish just wide of the post. From a potential 2-0, it was 1-1 eight minutes on, as Lawrence struck the leveller.

Chances
The game was swinging from end to end now, with chances for both sides. Mesonero took another shot under pressure, but this time, goalkeeper Wint gathered the ball on 34’. The same player enjoyed another opportunity a few minutes later after a mistake by the home side's defender but the Manchester City shot-stopper did brilliantly to keep him out.
Arbeloa's boys came out in even more dominant fashion following the break, and they could have gone ahead once more through Pol Fortuny, only for his effort to hit the defender and end up in Wint's gloves. It all changed nine minutes later, when Pol Fortuny himself was shown a red card. It was then down to our boys to dig in and hold onto their unbeaten status in the competition's group stage. Castilla will now have to wait for other results to find out if they've qualified for the next round.
LINE-UPS
1-Manchester City: Wint, Nfonkeu, Noble, Katongo, McFarlane, Braithwaite (Fapetu, 45'), Reigan Heskey, Jaden Heskey (McAidoo, 66'), Sangare (Warhurst, 66'), Oboavwoduo (Samba, 45') and Lawrence.
1-Castilla: Mestre, Fortea, Lezcano, Lamini, Liberto, Cristian David (De Almeida, 83’), Mesonero (Joan Mascaró, 66'), Manuel Ángel (Lacosta, 69'), Pol Fortuny, Leiva (Galassi, 83’) and Palacios (Enzo Alves, 69').
Goals:
0-1 (min. 3): Palacios.
1-1 (min. 28): Lawrence.