Inter defeated reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid on penalties at California Memorial Stadium in Berkley on Saturday night in the International Champions Cup.
A brilliant strike from Gareth Bale put a young Madrid side in front early on but a penalty from Mauro Icardi took the game all the way to a shootout, where the young Argentinian won the game for Inter.
Bale made his presence felt very early on when in the first real action of the game, he hit the top of the crossbar with a header as Madrid started very strongly.
In the 10th minute, the Welshman, who made his name against the Nerazzurri with a hat-trick in the Champions League back in 2010, received the ball on the half way line, moved into his own half and unleashed a venomous strike into the net that left Samir Handanovic with no chance.
Inter started to come into the game after the goal after their slow start and in the 22nd minute, a cross from Dodo found Jonathan and he headed over the bar.
Bale was then in the action again, with a long range free kick bouncing in front of Handanovic before Ranocchia, Joel Obi and Botta had long range shots that went over the bar in succession before the break.
The game fizzled out slightly in the second half, with the only real chance early on being a scuffed shot from D’Ambrosio in the 54th minute the only chance of note early on.
However, the introduction of Yann M’Vila from the bench brought the game to life.
First, he had a long range shot that forced goalkeeper Jesus Fernandez to tip the ball over the bar and two minutes later, he crossed towards Vidic, who was then fouled in the box and Inter had a penalty.
Icardi made no mistake from the spot, coolly dinking the ball down the middle in style to equalize and it was game on.
If any team was going to win it in normal time, it looked to be Inter and it was only a great double save from Fernandez, the first a rasping shot from Vidic and then from the close-range rebound by Andreolli, that meant the game ended 1-1 and went to penalties.
The shootout was a topsy turvy affair. First, Isco missed for Madrid as substitute keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo tipped his shot onto the post and Vidic then scored to give Inter the lead.
Vasquez and Nacho both scored for Madrid, with Nagatomo and M’Vila missing for Inter but Illarramendi and Masqueral then missing in between a great penalty from Juan Jesus meant that Icardi had the chance to win it and he made no mistake, sending the ball into the bottom corner, meaning Inter won 3-2 on penalties.
The Nerazzurri now look to Thursday, where they will play Manchester United in Washington.
