Borussia Dortmund turned up the heat to beat Manchester United 4-1 (2-0) in the first match of the second edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) in China, where they are competing against both Manchester clubs. Gonzalo Castro and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in a BVB-dominated first-half, before Ousmane Dembélé made it 3-0. Castro then added a stunning fourth after ex-Black and Yellow Henrikh Mkhitaryan had struck for United.

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With the temperature well over 30 degrees Celsius when the match kicked off at 20:05 local time, 60,000 spectators in a sold-out Shanghai Stadium witnessed a fast-paced encounter in which Manchester United largely looked to play long balls forward. Borussia Dortmund, however, played a possession game (65 percent at times) and sought to control the play. But the Black and Yellows did allow some errors to creep into their build-up play, which enabled Manchester United to switch play at speed. This resulted in the English side's best chance on goal in the first 45 minutes, but Roman Weidenfeller was equal to the attempt by youngster Jessie Lingard (23').

At this point the Black and Yellows were already leading 1-0. Aubameyang's effort from a free-kick 25 metres out bounced directly in front of Johnstone, making it almost impossible for the United 'keeper to hold onto. He parried it to the side, then saved Dembélé's follow-up shot with his foot. However, Kagawa and then Castro were on hand, the former squaring for the latter to fire the ball under the bar to make it 1-0 in the 19th minute.

Ten minutes before the half-time whistle Valencia handled the ball in the box following an attempted bicycle kick from Aubameyang, who coolly converted the ensuing spot-kick. Thereafter BVB shone with some wonderful combination play. Two examples: Dembélé crossed the ball from the right to the left wing for Schmelzer to volley back to Aubameyang, whose shot went narrowly wide (40'); then Rode chipped a long ball into the box and Aubameyang tried a lob on the turn, with Johnstone at full stretch to deny the Gabon international (42').

After the break Manchester United soon had a good opportunity through Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian was unable to beat Weidenfeller between the sticks (56'). At the other end, though, Dembélé was not be denied. On the edge of the area he skipped past Roho and drilled home from 14 metres (57'). Two minutes later former BVB player Mkhitaryan reduced the lead to 3-1 after Mata masterfully found him in space.

Dream goals from Dembélé and Castro in the second half

Wholesale changes were made on the hour mark, with only Weidenfeller and Castro remaining on the pitch. Bartra made his BVB debut, forming a centre-back partnership with Mikel Merino. The latter soon had a good chance at the other end. Following a low cross, Mor flicked the ball on towards Merino, who was lurking at the far post. At the last moment, though, Mata cleared for a corner. Pulisic then missed narrowly from 16 metres for the Black and Yellows, who continued to set the pace (81'). Castro re-established the three-goal lead in the 86th minute with a wonderful strike from a centre-right position 17 metres out.

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BVB: Weidenfeller – Passlack (Larsen, 46'), Sokratis (Bartra, 61'), Bender (Merino, 61'), Schmelzer (Burnic, 61') – Castro, Rode (Sahin, 61') – Ramos (Pulisic, 61'), Kagawa (Leitner, 61'), Dembélé (Hober, 61') – Aubameyang (Mor, 61')
Goals: 0-1 Castro (19'), 0-2 Aubameyang (pen., 36'), 0-3 Dembélé (57'), 1-3 Mkhitaryan (59'), 1-4 Castro (86')
Spectators: 60,000 (sold-out)
Boris Rupert