Real Madrid defeats Celtic 2-0 in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  ●  Real Madrid defeated Celtic 2-0 Saturday in the Herbalife World Football Challenge.

Gonzalo Higuain split two Celtic defenders and set up Joe Maria Callejon who scored in the 22nd minute.

Karim Benzema added a goal in the 67th, steering a shot to the far left corner of the net that beat goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska before a crowd of 34,018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Celtic’s Dylan McGeough was knocked out and taken off the pitch on a stretcher after smashing his chin on the shoulder of Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin.

McGeough moved his arms across his chest while being carted off the field.

Newcastle‘s preparations for the new season suffered a blow as they went down to a 4-1 defeat against Championship side Cardiff.

The Magpies conceded three goals in the space of 10 minutes in the first half and, despite a better showing in the second half, could only reduce the deficit by one goal through Shola Ameobi’s 49th-minute penalty before Etien Velikonja restored Cardiff’s three-goal cushion.

Aron Gunnarsson opened the scoring for the home side in the 16th minute with a fine volley, Joe Ralls doubled the lead four minutes later and Gunnarsson was on the scoresheet again, turning home a low cross after 26 minutes.

Newcastle’s fierce rivals Sunderland also suffered a disappointing result as they were defeated 1-0 in their friendly away against Leicester. The home side were the better team in the first half, creating several good chances, and they were finally rewarded for their dominance when substitute Tom Parkes poked home late on in the second half.

There was controversy a few minutes later when an effort by James McClean looked like it might have crossed the line before being clawed away by Kasper Schmeichel but Leicester held on for the victory.

Norwich suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach. Belgian Igor de Camargo put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute and substitute Branimir Hrgota ensured victory in the final minute.

Another team facing German opposition were QPR as they played their second pre-season friendly in the country against Augsburg. The home side went ahead through a penalty by Aristide Bance before Rangers striker Djibril Cisse equalised. An own goal from Anton Ferdinand put Augsburg ahead again just before half-time but a second goal from Cisse earned QPR a 2-2 draw.

Two London sides went head to head at Craven Cottage and it was the newly-promoted Championship side Charlton who came out on top 2-1 against Fulham. Johnnie Jackson and Yann Kermorgant were on the scoresheet for the away side, cancelling out the opening strike from Fulham’s Alex Kacaniklic.