Real Madrid Beat Everton 2-1 in Los Angeles Friendly

Real Madrid have beaten Everton in a pre-season friendly at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

The Spanish side completed a 2-1 victory in the Guinness International Champions Cup match, and will now face either AC Milan or Chelsea in the final.

Madrid stamped their authority on the game in the 17th minute when Mesut Özil’s incisive through ball found Cristiano Ronaldo, who rounded American goalkeeper Tim Howard before cooly slotting the ball into an empty net.

Everton nearly leveled a few minutes later when Leighton Baines’ corner found Marouane Fellaini, but his effort hit the post.

Everton did have the ball in the back of the net in the 24th minute, only for Sylvain Distin’s equalizer to be disallowed for a foul in the build up.

Instead of 1-1, it was quickly 2-0.

Roberto Martinez, who this summer replaced new Manchester United boss David Moyes in the Everton hot seat, has been experimenting with a 3-4-3 tactical formation for his team’s pre-season tour of the U.S.

And just seconds after Distin’s attempt, Everton’s defense were again exposed by the power and precision of Ronaldo.

This time the Portugal star played provider, threading a cutting sideways ball for Özil to move the Spanish giants further ahead.

As he picked the ball out of his own net, Tim Howard was likely revisiting his pre-game statement, when he had spoken openly of his excitement at going head-to-head with Ronaldo.

At half-time Martinez substituted the disappointing Arouna Koné with forward Nikica Jelavi?, a recent transfer target for Hamburg.

And in the 61st minute the striker brought his team back into the game.

Steven Naismith headed down Seamus Coleman’s far post cross, and Jelavi? expertly struck a left footed half-volley into the goal.

Both teams continued to press in an entertaining end to the game, but Everton could not find an equalizer.

Real Madrid move on to Wednesday’s inaugural final in Miami, Florida.

Did you see the match? Was 2-1 a fair result?