Benzema scores stunner but Real Madrid held to draw by Club America - in pictures

Spanish and European champions held to 2-2 draw at Oracle Park

Karim Benzema scores Real Madrid's first goal against Club America during the first half of the pre-season friendly match at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California on July 26, 2022. EPA

Karim Benzema's shot nestles into the bottom corner beyond Club America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. EPA

Karim Benzema controls the ball during the pre-season friendly in San Francisco. AP

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal for Real Madrid against Club America. AP

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema (9) tries to get past América midfielder Pedro Aquino (5) during the first half of a friendly soccer match in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Fans cheer during the second half of the match between Real Madrid and Club America. AFP

Real Madrid and Club America players compete in the pre-season friendly at Oracle Park. AFP

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Silva on the ball against Club America. AFP

Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard is knocked to the ground by Club America midfielder Mauricio Reyes. AFP

Real Madrid defender David Alaba heads the ball during the match at Oracle Park. AFP

Club America midfielder Alvaro Fidalgos celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP

Alvaro Fidalgos scores from the penalty spot to level for Club America. AFP

Eden Hazard celebrates with teammates after scoring for Real Madrid against Club America. AFP

Alvaro Fidalgo celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty against Real Madrid. Getty

Club America fans cheer on their team inside Oracle Park. EPA

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao tackles Club America midfielder Pedro Aquino. USA Today

Alvaro Fidalgo celebrates with teammates after scoring against Real Madrid. AP

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo attempts a shot at goal. AP

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger in action against Club America. Getty

Eden Hazard passes the ball around Club America defender Sebastian Caceres. EPA

Club America players celebrate after forward Henry Martin opened the scoring against Real Madrid. AFP

Club America forward Henry Martin celebrates with teammate Pedro Aquino Sanchez after scoring against Real Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and Club America midfielder Pedro Aquino battle for the ball. AP

Real Madrid defender Nacho guides a header over the top of Henry Martin. Getty

Henry Martin celebrates scoring a goal against Real Madrid. Getty

Karim Benzema marked his first appearance of Real Madrid's pre-season tour of the United States with a stunning goal on Tuesday night but it was not enough to prevent the Spanish champions from being held to a 2-2 draw by Club America at Oracle Park.

Benzema, a late arrival for pre-season after being granted extended leave, showed why his manager Carlo Ancelotti described him as the "best player in the world" with a superb equaliser after Henry Martin had given Club America a surprise fifth-minute lead.

Receiving the ball from Toni Kroos on the edge of the area, Benzema played a quick one-two with Marco Asensio before unleashing a low, first-time curling effort beyond outstretched Club America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Benzema then went close to scoring a second, showing quick feet to slip through two defenders before his shot scraped the outside of the post.

Real Madrid continued to pile on the pressure in search of the lead, and Antonio Rudiger should have done better with a free header, while Eden Hazard should at least have hit the target after connecting with Federico Valverde's low cross.

The European champions finally got the goal their dominance deserved in the 55th minute, Hazard converting from the penalty spot after Lucas Vasquez was fouled inside the area.

Dani Ceballos had a great chance to make it 3-1 after Vasquez dummied a pass from Eduardo Camavinga, leaving the Spanish midfielder clear through on goal but his effort was hit straight at substitute goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez.

Aurelien Tchouameni, signed this summer from Monaco, also had a good opportunity to extend Madrid's advantage, only for Jimenez to produce a strong save from his low shot on the edge of the area.

Real Madrid were made to pay for failing to take those chances when Alvaro Fidalgo, who came through the Real youth academy, won and converted a penalty after being tripped by Vinicius Tobias.

Madrid went in search of the winner but had to settle for a draw in San Francisco.

The Spanish giants, who began their pre-season with a defeat to rivals Barcelona, complete their US tour against Juventus on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Ancelotti's side begin their season with the European Super Cup against Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt on August 10 before starting their La Liga title defence way to Almeria on August 14.

Check out the best photos from Real's pre-season friendly against Club America in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe.