Cristiano Ronaldo y Rodolfo Salinas durante el Santos Laguna-Real Madrid
Though kickoff was scheduled after nightfall, the desert heat kept temperatures in the triple digits. Additionally, Santos played a league match (2-2 draw with Pueblo) two days earlier. It led to a sluggish start.
Xabi Alonso exploited a lack of pressure at the top of the box for the opening goal. Alvaro Arbeloa passed back to his former Liverpool teammate and Alonso uncorked a swerving 30-yard drive that beat Oswaldo Sanchez to the bottom corner.
Ten minutes later the Mexican side equalized. Christian Suarez cracked the offside trap wide open, giving him ample time to collect his thoughts in the box and slide a left-footed shot past Iker Casillas at the near post.
Madrid made wholesale changes at the half. It didn't take long for the fresh XI to get chippy, with local product Herculez Gomez getting physical with the central defenders. Both Pepe and the American striker were booked for tough challenges.
Midway through the half the reigning Spanish champion took the lead again. Karim Benzema shuffled his feet quickly to volley a corner on goal. Sanzhez dove to punch clear, but only managed to ricochet the ball off Sami Khedira's face and into his own net.
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