PHOENIX – The Los Angeles Galaxy lost in their first game of the Guinness International Tournament 3-1 against Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. Preseason European teams keep outclassing the MLS sides as one day prior Italian side AS Roma easily defeated the MLS All-Star team.

Real Madrid dominated the flow of the first half and set a steady passing rhythm that the Galaxy could not break. It only took the Spanish team five minutes to create the first goal scoring opportunity. Angle DiMaria sent in a cross from the right side of the field to where Cristiano Ronaldo put in a solid header that bounced off of the cross bar.

Galaxy answered right back and had the two best chances of the first half through youngster Jose Villareal. Villareal dribbled into the box in the 8th minute and sent in a cross that was deflected by Carvajal which nearly caused an own goal. One minute later Villareal once again grabbed the ball in the right side of the box, dribbled deep into the box and had a shot near post that went out wide.

Madrid made their dominance pay off in the 15th minute as newly signed Isco played a ball out wide to Ronaldo who sent a first time pass to DiMaria. The Argentina also first timed the ball chipping it over the charging LA goalkeeper to open up the scoring.

Madrid kept on controlling the tempo of the game through their possession of the ball and their short passes around midfield. Every now and then a through ball would be played forward when the Galaxy defenders weren’t expecting it and cause a dangerous goal scorning opportunity that would go to waste with bad shooting.

Madrid started off the second half just as dominate as the first, and in the 50th minute second half substitution Karim Benzema doubled the lead for the Spaniards after a lovely cross field pass from Isco.

The MLS side got right back in the game in the 62nd minute, once again through Mexican-American Jose Villareal. Following a bad clearness from a Madrid defender Villareal grabbed the ball, dribbled past one defender on his way into the box and then smashed the ball into the upper 90 degree angle to put the Galaxy within one goal.

The Spaniards would regain the two goal lead in the 74t minute, once again Karim Benzema got on the score sheet for Madrid after easily heading in an Angle DiMaria cross.

Both teams will now head to Los Angeles where they will play their second game in this competition on Saturday.

Jonny.Rico@sandiegored.com