Real Madrid 1-2 Juventus [Peace Cup Semi Final] (Photo Gallery and Highlights Video)

A clash between Real Madrid and Juventus can never be too friendly. There's always more than victory at stake, even in a summer tournament. Quality and spectacle are assured. That's exactly what fans got out of the clash between both sides at the Sanchez Pizjuan tonight. Real Madrid's excellent offensive style met with Juventus' strong defence and counterattacks. Cristiano Ronaldo, Cannavaro and Salihamidzic scored the evening's goals.

The best of Real Madrid's game in the first half were the combinations between Ronaldo, Raul, Benzema and Granero, and they paid off. Cristiano passed the ball to Raul inside the box after battling with Cannavaro. The captain was tackled and a penalty was awarded. Ronaldo stepped up and scored the equaliser on the 40-minute mark.

Despite the defeat, Real Madrid can draw positive conclusions from their performance tonight. The team looks ready for greater challenges despite the little time it has had to work on its new style.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second goal for Real Madrid with a penalty kick again.

MATCH REPORT
1 - Real Madrid: Dudek; Torres, Pepe, Metzelder, Drenthe; Guti (Gago, 79’), Lass, Granero; Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul (Negredo, 71') & Benzema (HiguaIn, 71').
2 - Juventus: Buffon; Chiellini, Cannavaro (Legrottaglie, 45'), Grygera, F. Melo (Marrone, 71'), Salihamidzic, Amauri, Camoranesi, Giovinco (Zanetti, 61'), Tiago Mendes & Del Piero (Iaquinta, 68').

Goals:
0-1, 3': Cannavaro.
1-1, 40': Cristiano Ronaldo.
1-2, 49': Salihamidzic.

Real Madrid's opponents in Peace Cup

The draw for the 2009 Peace Cup has paired teams from different parts of the planet. Saudi side Al-Ittihad and Ecuador's Liga Universidad Quito will be Real Madrid's Group B opponents at the Bernabeu.

Al-Ittihad is one of the great Saudi sides. It was founded in 1928 and participated in the 2005 World Club Championship of Japan, losing in the semis against Sao Paulo FC. Twenty-seven year-old Hamad Al Montashari, Best Asian Player of 2005, is one of their best men. He has 36 international caps and has scored 6 goals for his country. Montashari played in the 2006 World Cup of Germany.

Liga Universidad will be Real Madrid's second opponent at the Bernabeu in the Peace Cup. It is one of the most successful Ecuatorian sides, with nine national titles and one Copa Libertadores on its shelves. The club was founded in 1930. The team's most prominent player is goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos, who has 80 international caps and played in the 2002 World Cup of South Korea and Japan. Cristiano Ronaldo faced the team with Manchester United in the 2008 World Club Championship final. The English side won 1-0 and Ronaldo earned Best Player of the Tournament honours.