Real Madrid Triumphs in Pasadena Warmup Ahead of the Super Cup
Real Madrid hosted an upbeat pre season clash in Pasadena, California, delivering a 2-0 win over Juventus. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio provided the goals, sparking confidence as Madrid heads toward the UEFA Super Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on August 10.
Earlier in the tour, Madrid faced a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona after a two all draw with América in Las Vegas. The American trip closed with a strong performance in the first half, with Benzema converting from the spot and Asensio finishing after a flowing team move that underscored Madrid’s depth and cohesion during the friendly series.
The Rose Bowl drew a crowd of 93,702, a stadium record for Pasadena, as thousands of Madrid fans soaked in the action. The team looked sharp across the pitch, Vinicius Junior providing electric features of attack and a disciplined defensive display that left Juventus with few clear chances.
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Carrying momentum into the warm up for the Champions League final in Paris, Madrid’s management used these games to prime the squad for the upcoming Super Cup. The starting XI in Pasadena mirrored the lineup that beat Liverpool 1-0, a sign that Carlo Ancelotti values consistency as Madrid chase European glory.
David Alaba and Eder Militao neutralized the Serb Dusan Vlahovic while Dani Carvajal returned to action after a short break. The midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric surged forward with high pressure, feeding the attacking line of Vinicius, Benzema, and Fede Valverde.
Madrid dominated possession and pressed Juventus high, repeatedly winning the ball in advanced areas and testing goalkeeper Mattia Perin with constant threats. The visitors faced relentless pressure, with a stoppage scene originating from a back pass error for a dangerous moment in the box.
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The decisive moment arrived when Benzema converted a penalty on a counter move, marking his second pre season goal and reinforcing his role as a focal point for Madrid. Vinicius produced several dazzling plays that energized the crowd, while Benzema, Modric, and Kroos showed calm and control in possession. The Brazilian Di Maria emerged as a notable threat, with set pieces representing a key source of danger for the visitors.
There was a late moment when a shot from long range nearly beat the defense and hit the crossbar, illustrating the fine margins Madrid navigated on the night. The team continued its aggressive push, maintaining intensity throughout and earning a second goal via a well-orchestrated sequence from the flank to the center where Asensio finished decisively.
Ancelotti rotated the squad, opting to mix veterans with emerging talents. The changed lineup kept the tempo high, and the late goal by Asensio sealed the match at two goals to nil. The victory reinforced Madrid’s growing rhythm as they tune up for Helsinki and the upcoming European fixtures.
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Real Madrid finished with a familiar first eleven, including Courtois in goal and a defensive line of Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, and Mendy. In midfield, Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric controlled the pace, while Vinicius, Valverde, and Benzema formed the attacking triangle. Substitutes included Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, Nacho, Vallejo, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Ceballos, Hazard, Asensio, and Rodrygo.
Juventus fielded Perin in goal with Danilo, Bremer, Bonucci, Alex Sandro in defense, and a midfield trio of Fagioli, Zakaria, and Locatelli. Up front, Di Maria and Vlahovic led the line with Kean supporting. The night featured a lineup that reflected strategic experimentation typical of pre season tours.
Goals: Benzema converted from the spot in the 19th minute; Asensio doubled the lead in the 69th minute following a team build up that culminated in a clinical finish. The match was officiated by a referee from the United States, with a yellow card shown to Asensio late in the game. The game was played in front of a record crowd at the Rose Bowl, underscoring Madrid’s widespread appeal on their American tour.