Print

Mail

wiki links

Real Madrid plays friendly

Real Madrid's English player Davis Beckham, left falls after a tackle by River Plate of Argentina's Javier Maschemano during a friendly soccer match at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Tuesday. PHOTO: AP

Striker Javier Portillo scored twice Tuesday as Real Madrid defeated River Plate 3-1 in an exhibition match played in honor of former great Alfredo Di Stefano, who wore the colors of both clubs during his illustrious career.

Midfielder Santiago Solari also netted for Madrid, while substitute Luis Gonzalez scored a late goal for River.

Madrid lifted the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, which has been disputed annually since 1979 and usually features the home club and an invited foreign team.

The match was played on the 50th anniversary of Di Stefano's debut for the Spanish team in a friendly against France's Nancy.

Before the game, both sets of players came out carrying a large banner bearing an illuminated photo of Di Stefano in action accompanied by the motto "Gracias Don Alfredo." The video screens in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium displayed images of the forward in action.

Di Stefano, accompanied by officials from both clubs in the grandstand, was then presented with a commemorative plaque by his three grandchildren.

Madrid, which was without star players Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Raul Gonzalez and Iker Casillas, had to wait until the 55th minute before taking the lead.

Solari broke the deadlock with a spectacular goal, jinking his way through the River defense before delivering a shot into the roof of the net. The Argentine chose not to celebrate his goal as he formerly played for River.

Three minutes later, Portillo added the second with a header from a floated free kick by 17-year-old substitute Jose Manuel Jurado, who was making his first-team defeat.

Portillo doubled his tally in the 70th minute when he nodded home from a cross by substitute Raul Bravo from the left.

Gonzalez reduced the deficit with a side-footed shot from just inside the Madrid penalty area with 10 minutes remaining.

David Beckham, who produced several trademark long passes, was replaced in the 38th minute, seconds after felling midfielder Javier Mascherano with a late tackle. The English midfielder appeared to have suffered a calf injury although it was not believed to be serious.

Di Stefano spent five years with River Plate before moving on to Colombia's Millionarios in 1949. After a tug of war with FC Barcelona, Real Madrid signed Di Stefano in 1953 and he went on to score 307 goals in 396 appearances.

Voted European Player of the Year in 1957 and 1959, the star forward won five consecutive European Cup trophies with Madrid, scoring in each final.

Di Stefano also won eight Spanish league titles with Madrid before ending his career at Espanyol in 1966. Now 77, he became Madrid's honorary president in 2000.

"People come and go and institutions remain. Forever. No one should forget this," Di Stefano said with modesty in an interview with sports daily As on Tuesday.
This story has been viewed 2560 times.