Real Madrid's Karim Benzema seen as he scores a goal during the friendly soccer match against the Shamrock Rovers, at Tallagh Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Monday, July, 20, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MADRID, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Big spending Real Madrid needed a late goal from new signing Karim Benzema to avoid an embarrassing start to the club's pre-season campaign.

    Although Real was without 65 million euro Brazilian signing Kaka as well as Iker Casillas and Raul Albiol, Cristiano Ronaldo was in the starting line up against Irish side Shamrock Rovers.

    However, the Spanish side had to wait until the 87th minute of the game before finally opening the score against a rival that usually plays in front of around 5,000 fans.

    Shamrock Rovers is currently half way through the Irish League season, while despite all of the million of euros invested this summer, Real Madrid's players have only nine days of pre-season training behind them.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo playing for the first time for the team in a friendly against Shamrock Rovers at Tallagh Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Monday, July, 20, 2009.((Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    That was apparent throughout the game as the players in the Spanish team looked sluggish and heavy legged against a rival that was happy to sit deep and defend.

    Ronaldo showed that he is still a long way off his best, while Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez produced a display that confirmed why he will probably spend most of this season on the substitutes' bench.

    It was not until the end when Benzema, a 35 million euro signing from Lyon scored the only goal of the game. The Frenchman had looked lively since his introduction at the start of the second half and had earlier his the post with a powerful shot.

    It was therefore deserved when he scored the only goal of the game with a low finish following a pass from Gabriel Heinze.