Real Madrid won the Chinese section of the 2015 International Champions Cup after beating AC Milan 10-9 on penalties at the Shanghai Stadium.
Kiko Casilla was the hero as he saved from 16-year-old Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to secure his side’s second piece of pre-season silverware, adding to their victory in Australia last Friday.
Chances were few and far between for Europe’s two most successful clubs, who boast a whopping 17 titles between them.
Luca Antonelli went close to breaking the deadlock after just three minutes when he surged into the heart of the Madrid defence, before a brilliant last-ditch block from Raphael Varane prevented him from getting a shot on goal.
M’Baye Niang also threatened Rafael Benitez’s back line with a powerful run which saw him show tremendous strength to hold off Pepe, but Keylor Navas was out quickly to deny the French international.
Real went close early in the second half when Jese Rodriguez picked out Toni Kroos after some good work down the right, but the World Cup winner’s side-footed effort was deflected wide of the target.
At the other end, new signing Carlos Bacca forced Casilla to push his fierce effort away after being teed up by Cristian Zapata’s knockdown from Keisuke Honda’s cross.
Isco and Jose Mauri fired good half-chances off target, before Bacca was brilliantly denied with nine minutes remaining.
The Colombian was played in by Luiz Adriano who had pounced on an error from Sergio Ramos, but found the Madrid stopper in great form as he forced a very smart save out of him.
There was no joy for Bacca in the shootout, either, as he sent his effort wide of the target, only to be reprieved by Donnarumma who guessed correctly to deny Kroos’ tame kick.
With the scores at 9-9 and nothing to separate the sides, it all came down to the battle of the keepers.
Casilla coolly scored before producing good reflexes to deny his opposite number and give Real their second triumph in the space of a week.
