After winning the Australian phase of the 2015 ICC final against Manchester City on July 24, 2015, Real Madrid traveled to China and defeated Inter Milan 3-0 on July 27. Since AC Milan had already beaten Inter Milan 1-0 on July 25, Real Madrid and AC Milan entered the final of the three-team China phase of the ICC. On Thursday, July 30, 2015, they defeated AC Milan on penalties after the goalless draw at regulation time. When Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla made it 10-9 for his side, he stood at the goal for the next penalty from AC Milan’s 16-year-old reserve goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who took the 22nd penalty of the shootout. But the young man’s effort was saved by Kiko Casilla and Real Madrid cruised to their second victory in a space of 6 days.
The heat and humidity at Shanghai was too much for the European Clubs AC Milan and Real Madrid in the all-important final match. Both teams struggled for rhythm and Real Madrid failed to find any easy scoring opportunities. There were, however, two distinct first-half chances for M’baye Niang but both efforts were nicely stopped by AC Milan goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Real Madrid didn’t have James Rodrigues in the starting line-up but Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronado and Karim Benzema did not offer any effective contributions. In the 8th minute, Niang shot from a distance but his dipping effort was well stopped by AC Milan goalkeeper Navas. Niang had another chance in 39th minute, when he powered through the defense with Pepe in tow but he fell down while shooting and the attempt was foiled by Navas. In the 25th minute, Ronaldo had taken a free kick that looped over the goal and resulted in the corner kick for Real Madrid but it turned out to be another wasted effort.
In the second half, large number of substitutions disrupted the play, but Real Madrid improved slightly, and Bale and Ronaldo both went close with headers from two nice crosses from Isco. AC Milan also got their chances but Kiko Casilla first saved a hot shot from Carlos Bacca and then in a one-to-one with Casillas, Bacca wasted an excellent chance in the 80th minute. After some frantic movements close to the regulation time, Real couldn’t get past the AC Milan goalkeeper nor could AC Milan make any impact on the Real’s goal. It was then time for the penalties.
As the shoot-out began, the first was James Rodriguez for Real. He made it 1-0 but AC Milan’s De Jong made it 1-1 next. Marcelo made it 2-1 for Real but once again Matri made it 2-2 for Milan. Casemiro’s penalty took the score to 3-2 for Real and when Carlos Bacca sent his shot wide Real had a slight advantage, when Sergio Ramos made it 4-2. But that didn’t last long when Milan made it 4-3 and Kroos’s effort was saved. AC Milan leveled at 4-4, when Adriano scored. Real made it 5-4 through Carvajal on the eleventh penalty. This kept going until 9-9 with neither side missing its chances. Then Real goalkeeper Kiko Casillas made it 10-9 for his team and went to the goal for the 22nd penalty to be taken by AC Milan’s 16-year old reserve goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. This shot was taken close to the middle and Casilla was able to stick his arm out to save and Real scored a great victory under trying circumstances.
