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Played
August 11, 2012 1:30 PM EDT
 
21′ Callejón
 
 
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid
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Real Madrid 2-0 Celtic: Callejon and Benzema ensure straightforward defeat for SPL champion

Goals from Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema hands the Spanish champion a final U.S. tour victory while Dylan McGeough suffers a head injury late for the Scots.

By Matthew Harold

Jose Callejon, Real Madrid
Getty
Real Madrid finished off its U.S. tour in superb style with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Scottish champions Celtic in Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Goals from Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema helped the reigning Spanish champion to go into the start of the league season in winning form.

The game, however, had a sour note as young Celtic winger Dylan McGeough was stretchered off late on after a nasty head clash.

Madrid had the first real chance after an open first quarter of an hour, as Cristiano Ronaldo raced down the left wing, before cutting back to the back post for Callejon, but Callejon's strike went just wide.

Ronaldo then had his own effort on goal as he raced forward, but unfortunately for the Portuguese forward his strike went just wide of Lukasz Zaluska’s goal.

Jose Mourinho’s side eventually took the lead as Xabi Alonso played a ball towards Gonzalo Higuain. His strike was saved by Zaluska, but the rebound fell into the path of Callejon, who slid the ball into the net.

Real Madrid could have had a second minutes later as Alonso floated in a free kick from the right wing, onto the head of Higuain, but his effort went just over the bar.

Just before the half time whistle, the Scottish champion had its best chance of the first period, with Joe Ledley receiving the ball on the halfway line, darting forward and striking over the bar.

Midway through the second half Real Madrid finally got its second as Ozil found Benzema free on the left wing. The striker then raced in on goal and drove the ball through Matthews' legs and beyond Zaluska’s outstretched arms.

Celtic was then handed a huge blow as McGeouch suffered a blow to head after a clash with Nuri Sahin which left the 19-year-old winger crumpled on the ground. The Celtic medical staff was quick off the mark to help the youngster along with its Real Madrid counterparts as McGeouch received the care and attention he needed before being stretchered off the park.

Real Madrid continued to push forward for the reminder of the game, with Benzema once again finding di Maria, but his strike went wide of Zaluska’s left hand post and out for a goal kick.

The game then petered out with both sides comfortable with the final score as they finish their preseason campaigns.

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Real Madrid

13
Adán
Goalkeeper
45′
 - 
4
Sergio Ramos
Defender
42′ 58′
 - 
17
Arbeloa
Defender
58′
 - 
15
Fabio Coentrao
Defender
71′
 - 
18
 - 
6
Sami Khedira
Midfielder
45′
 - 
20
Gonzalo Higuaín
Midfielder
71′
 - 
14
Xabi Alonso
Midfielder
57′
 - 
8
Kaká
Midfielder
46′
 - 
21
Callejón
Midfielder
21′ 57′
 - 
7
 - 

Celtic

 - 
24
Lukasz Zaluska
Goalkeeper
 - 
2
 - 
6
 - 
21
 - 
3
 - 
46
Dylan McGeouch
Midfielder
78′
 - 
33
Beram Kayal
Midfielder
 - 
16
Joe Ledley
Midfielder
 - 
15
Kris Commons
Midfielder
 - 
10
 - 
11

Substitutes

1
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper
45′
 - 
19
 - 
27
Nacho
Defender
58′
 - 
22
 - 
10
Mesut Özil
Midfielder
58′
 - 
85
Lassana Diarra
Midfielder
57′
 - 
14
 - 
9
 - 
8
Nuri Sahin
Midfielder
71′
 - 
26
Morata
Striker
71′
 - 

Substitutes

 - 
1
Fraser Forster
Goalkeeper
 - 
25
 - 
-
 - 
88
 - 
-

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Marco Di Vaio Marco Di Vaio
Striker
Montreal Impact
1 0