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12/23/2024 04:02:39 am

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Record Crowd Watches Manchester U defeat Real Madrid in Michigan

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar

The gods of football are playing in the World Cup and who doesn't want to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar live on TV?

With the U.S. Men's National Soccer team putting its best finish at the World Cup last month, it seems that soccer-or football as it is known around the world-has finally arrived at American shores.

Two of the world's top teams played before a record crowd of 109,318 in Ann Arbor, a sign that U.S. fans are starting to love soccer.

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Manchester United defeated Real Madrid 3-1, securing new manager Louis van Gaal's fourth win in the International Champions Cup.

Van Gaal posted his fourth victory as new Manchester manager.

Ashley Young led the charge for the Reds, posting two goals, while Javier Hernandez ensured Real Madrid won't come any closer with a goal of his own.

Gareth Bale scored via a penalty, and Real could not find the back of the net throughout the game, even after the team brought in Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half.

Manchester will face their English rivals Liverpool, who qualified for the final on points. Manchester City lost to Olympiakos on penalties, 5-4, following a 2-2 draw in their match in Minneapolis.

New inclusions Toni Kroos and 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez missed the making to the starting lineup for Real, as well as Ronaldo, who entered the game after half time. But Real put on a show with Bale, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso leading the charge.

Young scored his first goal after 21 minutes, but Real quickly scored an equalizer six minutes later when Bale hit a spot-kick. Michael Keane was called for a warning after he climbed on Bale in the penalty area.

Manchester regained the lead at the 37th-minute mark when Young's cross went over Iker Casillas' head.

Ronaldo went into the match at the 73rd minute, playing against his former team and likewise grabbing the attention of the record crowd. But United ensured its victory with Hernandez scoring another goal for Manchester.

The previous record attendance for a soccer match in the U.S. was 101,799, which had been made in 1984 during the Olympics. France defeated Brazil 2-0 at the Rose Bowl in California at that time.

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