Manchester City and Real Madrid clashed in the 2015 International Champions Cup in Australia on Friday.
Real Madrid led 3-0 deep into the first half courtesy of goals from Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe.
However, a Yaya Toure penalty in first-half stoppage time handed City a lifeline.
Both sides made changes in the second period, but Real Madrid remained on top and made it 4-1 late on through Denis Cheryshev.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
10.06amMorning all! It might only be a pre-season match, but this is a real glamour tie as Manchester City face Real Madrid at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the International Champions Cup. Do not ask me to explain the logistics of this particular competition – it would take a top scientist to do that – but this is Man City's final pre-season match of their Australian tour.
10.07amFirst and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
10.09amTEAMS:
MAN CITY: Hart; Sagna, Denayer, Humphreys, Kolarov; Toure, Fernando, Delph; Nasri, Silva, Sterling
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
10.12amSo there we have it. The big news in the Man City camp is that Fabian Delph comes in for his debut. The England international starts in a midfield that also contains Fernando and Yaya Toure, while Raheem Sterling will continue as part of the front three. Joe Hart is back in goal, while it is an interesting centre-back pairing as Jason Denayer is joined by academy product Cameron Humphreys.
10.15amAs for Real Madrid, the XI has a very familiar feel. Keylor Navas continues between the sticks, while Dani Carvajal keeps his spot at right-back ahead of summer signing Danilo. The big news is further forward, however, as Karim Benzema returns to centre-forward, which should mean wider roles for Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. There is no room for 16-year-old midfielder Martin Odegaard from the start.
10.18amSomewhat surprisingly, these two teams have met on just two previous occasions. Both of those fixtures occurred in the group stage of the 2012-13 Champions League, when Real Madrid won their home match 3-2, before securing a 1-1 draw at the Etihad two months later. There is just no comparing these two teams in terms of trophies won, but Man City now have the financial capabilities to match the biggest teams and will want to put down another marker here. It is pouring down at the moment in Melbourne!
10.21amMan City opened their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-0 win over Melbourne City last Saturday, before beating Roma on penalties earlier this week after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. It is another step up in class here and that is just what Manuel Pellegrini would have wanted at this stage. It might only be a friendly, but such confidence would be gained if they could beat Los Blancos.
10.22amCity fans... what do you think?
Revealing the new #MCFC 15/16 away kit. Built for Brilliance and worn tonight v Real Madrid in Melbourne. #cityontour pic.twitter.com/ivK3KQFVtK
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) July 24, 201510.25amLooking forward, Man City will not be in action again until August 1, when they face German outfit Stuttgart. At the moment, that is their final pre-season friendly ahead of the big kickoff on August 8. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will open the new season at Old Trafford, but Man City are not in action until August 10, when they will travel to West Bromwich Albion - a tough start indeed.
10.28amIt has not exactly been the busiest of transfer windows for Man City thus far, but they have managed to bring in Raheem Sterling for a cool £49m from Liverpool. The England international opened his account against Roma last time out and will be keen to make another impression here. I have a feeling that the former Premier League champions have not finished their summer transfer business though!
10.31amHow Man City approach their final two games of pre-season will be key when taking a closer look at their start to the Premier League season, which is very difficult. Away to West Brom is not exactly a favourable start, and they will welcome the reigning champions Chelsea in their second game of the season. Everton away is their third match and a poor start could already leave them playing catch-up.
10.32am
Starting line-ups for @MCFC v @RealMadrid in @Melbourne. Kick off at 8pm AEST. #ICCMELB #ICC2015 pic.twitter.com/ZQtuehIeQz
— Int Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) July 24, 201510.35amAs for Real Madrid, they are currently further behind in their preparations for the new campaign. The Spanish outfit opened their pre-season with a 0-0 draw against Roma last weekend, but it went down as a defeat after losing 7-6 on spot-kicks. It was not the greatest game of football truth be told and Benitez will be looking for a stronger level of performance here. Kickoff is just 25 minutes away...
10.38amBefore leaving Australia, Real Madrid will also face both Milan clubs. Inter Milan are their opposition on July 27, before a clash with AC Milan takes place on July 30. Benitez's team will then face more Premier League opposition in the shape of Tottenham Hotspur on August 4, before facing Valerenga on August 9, which is their final confirmed pre-season fixture at this point. It is all happening!
10.41amThe La Liga season does not start until two weeks after the Premier League and Real Madrid have a fairly favourable first fixture as they travel to newly-promoted Sporting Gijon. They will then welcome another newly-promoted side in the shape of Real Betis, before travelling to Espanyol and hosting Granada in their next two. On paper, it is a good start for Real Madrid, who lost two of their first three league games last season.
10.44amLike Man City, Real Madrid have not been too active in the transfer market this summer, but to suggest not much is happening behind the scenes would be a false statement. The club are still pursuing Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in a deal that could see Sergio Ramos move the other way. Karim Benzema's future is also said to be up in the air, but both Ramos and the Frenchman start against City here.
10.47amIn terms of incomings, Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus and Juventus' Fernando Llorente have also been strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu as Benitez attempts to stamp his own mark on the club. It is worth remembering that the transfer window still has a long way left to run and one big move could spark more.
10.50amBoth of these teams have the same objective for the new campaign – win the league title. Reclaiming the crown for both sides is the number one priority – even ahead of the Champions League – and the pressure on both managers will start from the first whistle of the first match. Who would be a manager!
10.53amPREDICTION! I fancy Real Madrid to record all three points here and in turn, win the mini-league that also includes Roma. Both managers have selected strong XIs, but for me, Real Madrid just to nick it 2-1.
10.56amHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period in Melbourne. The weather is very Manchester-like! Be sure to remain with me and you will not miss a moment in Australia.
0 minKICK OFF! Just a reminder that we will have a penalty shootout if the score finishes level after 90 minutes. The scene is set and the crowd have turned up in their numbers. Man City start us off...
2 minIt is indeed a front three for Real Madrid, with Bale and Ronaldo wide of Benzema, which is not much of a surprise. Man City have had the early possession, but not much of note to report thus far here.
3 minMore boos for Sterling - Liverpool fans inside the stadium maybe? The Reds are very popular over here in Australia. Madrid is baking hot at the moment and this will be a real shock to the system for Real!
5 minReal Madrid have just started to dictate the possession in the last couple of minutes, with Modric and Kroos seeing plenty of the ball. Still no real opportunities thus far, however, as City defend deep.
7 minCarvajal clashes into Kolarov and stays on the deck, but it does appear that the Real Madrid right-back will be fit to continue. Both teams have been a little untidy in the final third thus far, but with the quality of players on display, we should have plenty of chances. Still goalless with seven played here.
9 minSterling is playing through the middle for Man City at the moment - something that Liverpool tried on a number of occasions last season. Not sure that is his best position! Real Madrid continue to dominate the possession in the middle third, but neither has been able to create an opportunity of note thus far.
10 minPEN SHOUT! Man City want a penalty as Sterling goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It was super work from the winger, who felt contact from Pepe.
11 minAnother potential penalty claim for Man City as Toure breaks into the Real Madrid box, but the Ivorian is taken out by both Ramos and Navas. It was a really nasty one and the players are left in a heap!
12 minIt was actually a super challenge from Ramos, who managed to make contact ahead of Toure. All three players are back on their feet and the play will continue. Who said this was a friendly match? No chance!
14 minFirst sight of goal for Man City as Silva breaks towards the Real Madrid box before trying his luck, but the Spaniard's effort was always moving over the crossbar. A little bit sloppy from Los Blancos.
16 minMan City are just coming back into the match as they pass and probe in the final third, but Nasri cannot evade the capture of Marcelo and the danger is cleared. Eventually the ball is swung into the penalty area, but Navas is on hand to claim. Still no real chances with 16 minutes played in Australia.
18 minMan City might be forced into an early change here as Delph goes down holding his hamstring...
19 min... it does not look great for Delph as the stretcher enters the field. That is the end of his match and indeed debut for the Premier League outfit. Not how the Englishman would have imagined it.
21 minSUB! The change is indeed made as Jesus Navas enters the field in place of Delph.
21 minGOAL! Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
22 minReal Madrid take the lead with 21 minutes on the clock as Carvajal drives down the right before finding Bale, whose cross is expertly volleyed home by Benzema. Wonderful finish from the French striker!
24 minThe more you watch that Benzema finish, the better it gets. It was a stunning hit from the Frenchman. Man City look to respond down the other end with Nasri, but Pepe is across to shepherd the ball behind.
25 minGOAL! Man City 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
26 minMake that 2-0 Real Madrid. The Spanish side double their lead as Ronaldo collects a wonderful pass from Kroos before stabbing home. Hart managed to get hands to the ball, but it bounced over the line!
28 minCHANCE! It should perhaps be 3-0 Real Madrid as the Spanish side again break through with Isco, but Sagna manages to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. City's two young centre-backs are struggling to cope with this Real Madrid attack at the moment and they are not the first!
30 minMan City are really struggling to deal with this Real Madrid side at the moment as Bale delivers a super cross from the left, but Denayer just does enough to stab clear. All one-way traffic now.
32 minCHANCE! Bale comes close to joining the party as the Welshman meets a clever cross from Carvajal, but his header is just over the crossbar. This could already be three or four for Real Madrid.
34 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, Real Madrid are very comfortable at the moment. It will be interesting to see whether both managers make changes at the break, or attempt to give the players that started around 60 minutes of football. Not much from City at the moment.
36 minHalf-chance for Man City as Nasri slides a pass into Navas, who delivers from a wide angle, but Isco is first on the scene to clear the danger. A little bit better from the Premier League side there.
38 minAnother penalty shout for Man City as Toure goes down inside the box under a challenge from Marcelo, but the referee is not interested and it is the correct decision. Toure had danced into the Real Madrid area, but took one touch too many and Marcelo got across. End-to-end football at the end of the half.
39 minIt is Real Madrid's turn to have a penalty shout as Kolarov appears to handle inside the box, but still no decision from the referee. We could have had at least two spot kicks in the opening 39 minutes.
42 minReal Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third, with Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema looking dangerous each time they pick up the ball. Man City have had a couple of counters in the last few moments, but the final pass has been disappointing thus far. Still 2-0 to the Spanish outfit here.
43 minNasri lines one up outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is straight at Navas.
44 minGOAL! Man City 0-3 Real Madrid (Pepe)
45 minReal Madrid score their third on the stroke of the interval as Pepe powers a header into the back of the net. It was an excellent corner from Isco and the centre-back simply wanted it much more.
45 min+1The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half.
45 min+2We have an intruder on the pitch and no, it isn't Rafael Benitez enjoying his team's performance!
45 min+2PENALTY MAN CITY!
45 min+3Man City are awarded a penalty as Ramos is adjudged to have handled inside the box. However, replays have shown that the incident took place outside the penalty area. Incredible! Wasn't even close!
45 min+4GOAL! Man City 1-3 Real Madrid (Toure, pen)
45 min+4Toure finishes into the bottom corner to hand the Premier League side a lifeline.
45 min+5HALF-TIME: Man City 1-3 Real Madrid
11.50amSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Manchester City 3-1 in Melbourne. Goals from Benzema, Ronaldo and Pepe had opened up a three-goal lead for the Spanish side, but a Toure penalty on the stroke of half-time has handed City a slight route back in.
11.55amThe penalty incident was extremely bizarre. Sterling first seemed to handle outside the box, which was followed by a Ramos appeal for a free kick. In raising his hand, Ramos made contact with the ball, but both incidents occurred outside the box. Poor decision from the referee, but Man City needed a break.
12pmBENCH WATCH! Man City have already been forced into one change, with Navas entering the field in place of Delph, who suffered a hamstring injury fairly early on. However, the Premier League side still have the likes of Jovetic, Dzeko, Clichy, Iheanacho and Roberts in reserve. Real Madrid boss Benitez, meanwhile, will surely look to give minutes to Casemiro, Silva, Jese, Danilo, Varane, Odegaard and Cheryshev.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second period. There have been some changes so bare with me while I confirm who has entered and who has departed. Always fun this bit!
47 minSUBS! Four changes for Real Madrid at the interval. Casemiro, Danilo, Jese and Varane have entered in place of Modric, Carvajal, Pepe and Benzema. For City, I believe it is the same XI at the moment!
48 minIt is excellent work from Jese as the Spaniard puts Denayer under pressure and ultimately wins a free kick from the centre-back, who looked in real trouble. Strong start to the second period from Real Madrid.
50 minMan City have not really been able to make their mark in the second period thus far as Real Madrid continue to dominate possession in the final third. The next goal - if there indeed is one - could be massive. Just a reminder that victory in 90 minutes would see Real Madrid lift this particularly trophy.
52 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man City to score a second as Nasri lifts a super pass into Silva, who looks to finish into the bottom corner, but Marcelo comes from nowhere to make a fine challenge!
54 minMuch better from Man City in the last couple of moments as they continue to work the ball from left to right in the final third, but Sterling just cannot reach a pass from Nasri. It is a really good game.
56 minReal Madrid have just managed to regain a period of control as Varane and Ramos slow the game down at the back. There have not been too many clear opportunities in the second period, with Silva's chance for Man City the closest either side has come since the interval. Around 35 minutes left to play.
58 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds a yard of space outside the box before trying his luck, but the attacker's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Moments later, Los Blancos have the ball in the back of the net through Isco, but Ronaldo was flagged offside when he collected the first pass.
60 minThe Spanish side have just turned up the tempo in the last five minutes or so as they continue to threaten, but neither Isco nor Ronaldo can release a strike inside the box. Ronaldo has another headed chance from a corner, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Still 3-1 Real Madrid here.
61 minSterling does brilliantly to drive into the Real Madrid box before finding a cross, but there are no takers inside the penalty area and Los Blancos manage to clear. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later with Ronaldo, but the Portuguese cannot chip over Hart and find the back of the net.
62 minCLOSE! Varane heads just wide of the post as Real Madrid continue to threaten!
62 minReal Madrid are preparing to make another five changes here. How excellent!
63 minSUB! Man City make their first change as Sterling is replaced by Dzeko.
65 minSUBS! Clichy also replaces Kolarov for City, while Toure is replaced by Zuculini.
66 minSUBS! Nacho, Cheryshev, Silva, Arbeloa and Vasquez replace Ronaldo, Ramos, Marcelo, Bale and Kroos for Real Madrid. It is changes galore at the moment, which is always the case in pre-season!
68 minRonaldo picked up a knock in a challenge with Fernando before leaving the field, but it does not look to be too serious. Nonetheless, the attacker has headed straight for the changing rooms here.
69 minSUB! Man City's Iheanacho has also entered the field for Silva here.
71 minThe raft of changes has really interrupted the flow of this match, which is not too much of a surprise. Both teams are enjoying spells of possession, but not too much of note happening at the moment.
72 minLopes has also entered the field for Nasri in another Man City change. That seemed to occur when both managers made a host of changes. It is always fun trying to keep up with what has happened!
73 minGOAL! Man City 1-4 Real Madrid (Cheryshev)
74 minReal Madrid put this game to bed as Isco finds space in a wide area before delivering into Cheryshev, who cannot miss at the far post. Poor defending from Clichy, but Isco did so well to find the cross.
76 minI think it is safe to say that Real Madrid are going to win the Australian version of the International Champions Cup. They have been much, much better than Man City here. Little under 15 minutes to play.
76 minJust shy of 100,000 spectators inside the stadium to watch this game - incredible!
77 minSUB! Real Madrid make another change as Isco is replaced by Marcos Llorente.
79 minReal Madrid remain in control of matters in Melbourne as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Man City have not really had a kick in the final third since that fourth goal.
81 minThe match is a little untidy at the moment as both teams relinquish possession in the middle of the park. In truth, the action has been quite poor since all the changes were made. I still think we could see another goal here, however, as both teams continue to commit numbers forward on each attack.
82 minSUB! Man City make another change as Navas is replaced by Patrick Roberts.
84 minRoberts, who arrived at City from Fulham this summer, has been nice and bright in his opening couple of minutes. The attacker is a very talented young player - let's hope he is given a chance next season.
86 minPossession football from Real Madrid as they continue to dominate the ball with their 4-1 lead in tact. Pre-season is of course all about fitness and preparation, but it is always nice to win!
89 minNot too much happening at the moment as the final whistle approaches in this International Champions Cup match. The Spanish papers will be able to write something positive about Benitez's Real Madrid tomorrow. It is a game that Los Blancos have controlled from the very early changes. Still 4-1 here.
90 min+1The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
90 min+3Real Madrid remain on the front foot as we enter the final minute of stoppage time in Australia. The supporters have been treated to five goals in this game. Possession football from the Spanish side.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Man City 1-4 Real Madrid
12.55pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close and Real Madrid have won the Australian version of the 2015 International Champions Cup with a 4-1 victory over Manchester City.
12.56pmBenitez picks up his first win in charge of Real Madrid as Pellegrini is left to ponder a hefty defeat to the Spanish outfit. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Australia. Until next time!
