Football lights up MCG: Ronaldo dazzles as Real rip City apart

10-time European champions triumph 4-1 in front of 99,000 strong crowd.

MELBOURNE: Cristiano Ronaldo turned on a show as Real Madrid demolished Manchester City 4-1 before a record crowd in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday.

World footballer of the year Ronaldo showcased his sublime skills and was among the goalscorers as Real ripped apart the 2014 English Premier League champions in a blistering first-half performance before more than 99,000 fans at the vast stadium.

It was the MCG’s biggest ever crowd for a football event.

The 10-time European champions revelled in the atmosphere, opening up Man City with dazzling touches, flicks and clinical finishing for three goals in the first half.

“I’m really pleased to see the team play well,” said Real manager Rafael Benitez. “It is really good for everyone when you are working so hard, when the players are having double training sessions and you can see the commitment.”

French striker Karim Benzema put the Spanish giants ahead with a spectacular finish in the 21st minute.

Ronaldo pounced four minutes later, bringing down German Toni Kroos’s long pass with a sublime first touch before poking home.

It got worse for City when central defender Pepe scored Real’s third with an unmarked thumping header off Isco’s corner just minutes before half-time.

Deep in first-half stoppage time City got one goal back through a penalty for a Sergio Ramos hand-ball as he jostled with Raheem Sterling.

Yaya Toure slotted home the spot kick for City to trail 3-1 at the break.

Russian Denis Cheryshev made it four when he stabbed home an Isco cross with 17 minutes left. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th,  2015.

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