Emirates Cup: Madrid Edge Hamburg In Opener

It was a lively affair in London in which both sides had their chances, but the Spanish champions' precision in front of goal proved the difference in the end.

They took the lead midway through the first half through Ruud van Nistelrooy, and then weathered a brief storm from the Germans to make it into half time with their lead in tact.

However, shortly after the break, freshly introduced substitute Mohamed Zidan drew things level with a fabulous strike.

The game then went back and forth for much of the remainder of the half, with Madrid making changes throughout and it was the final two substitutes who combined to produce the winner, with Juanmi Callejon crossing for Parejo to head home from point blank range.

Hamburg started the game full of energy, but it was Madrid who looked the more composed in possession. Despite being a yard short of pace compared to their opponents - who are further along in their pre-season - Madrid defended fairly comfortably throughout the opening minutes and in fact had the first opportunity of the game, with Raul doing well to put van Nistelrooy through on goal, but he could not lift his effort over the onrushing keeper.

However, his next opportunity was unmissable, as Arjen Robben ran down the left, floating a ball across the area for Guti on the right, whose attempted through ball was deflected and Nigel de Jong failed to deal with it, allowing Michel Salgado to barge through and drill a ball across the face of goal for van Nistelrooy to tap into an open goal.

Guerrero and Ivica Olic missed a number of chances between them for Hamburg, with the former heading wide from point blank range and also having an effort deflected wide of goal by Gabriel Heinze after a dreadful back pass from Michel Salgado.

After the break, one of former Tottenham Hotspur boss Martin Jol's three changes paid immediate dividends, as a neat passing move around the Madrid area fell at the feet of Mohamed Zidan, who curled a beautiful shot into the top corner, in off the bar as a statuesque Madrid defence and goalkeeper looked on.

Madrid had a chance straight after the goal to put themselves back in the lead, as an adventurous Michel Salgado again found himself in the opposition area and his left-footed strike was deflected wide.

Though the likes of Mahamadou Diarra and Wesley Sneijder were looking sharp for the Spanish champions, their lack of fitness at the back in particular almost cost them as Hamburg had yet more chances to complete the comeback and take the lead.

However, despite having far more chances than their opponents, HSV could not keep the ball and Madrid continued to have control of the game that paid dividends late on. A short Robinho cameo wowed the Emirates crowd but it was two Castilla starlets who combined to produce the winning goal, with Callejon's run and cross down the right hand side superb and Parejo's header unstoppable.

Madrid gained five points for win (three and one for each goal), while Hamburg gained a solitary point for their goal scored.

Arsenal now play host to Juventus, with the Italian giants set to face Hamburg tomorrow and Madrid come up against Arsenal to conclude the tournament.


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