Record crowd laps up football feast

Almost 100,000 people enjoyed Real Madrid's 4-1 destruction of Manchester City on a record-breaking night at the MCG.

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid congratulates team-mate Karim Benzema after he kicked the side's first goal

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid congratulates team-mate Karim Benzema after he kicked the side's first goal Source: AAP

Friday night was a landmark night for football, not only for Australia but for giants Real Madrid too.

The world's biggest club and the world's richest club combined to bring 99,382 to the MCG.

A 4-1 win to Real Madrid, including a Cristiano Ronaldo goal and trademark celebration, over Manchester City sent paying punters home happy.

In a landmark year for the MCG, the stunning turnout was its top attendance.

The two giants of world football brought more people to the ground than the Cricket World Cup Final, rugby league's State of Origin and the Anzac Day AFL match.

While it is likely to be overtaken by the AFL grand final on October 3, the spectacular turnout wasn't lost on the participants.

Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez said he was proud of his team for performing well given the big stage.

"I am very satisfied with the number of people that showed up today and it was a great match for them to see," he said.

"So many people, great players, and it's been a fantastic show."

Benitez too enjoyed his first success as Real manager, given his appointment last month.

After a dour 0-0 draw in his first match in charge against Roma, Benitez also witnessed the first goals of his reign as Madrid manager.

The Spaniard said he was "very pleased to see the team play well and win a trophy".

"The players are training double sessions and doing so well, you can see the commitment," he said.

"It is important to win, and to play well, it's a positive thing for the future."

The crowd was a record for a football-only event at the MCG, overtaking the 95,446 in attendance for Melbourne Victory's match with Liverpool two years ago.

It was also the biggest crowd that Manchester City have played in front of since the 1981 FA Cup Final, held at Wembley with an estimated crowd of 100,000.

MAJOR MCG CROWDS IN 2015

99,382 - Real Madrid v Manchester City, International Champions Cup

93,013 - Australia v New Zealand, Cricket World Cup Final

91,513 - New South Wales v Queensland, NRL State of Origin

88,395 - Collingwood v Essendon, AFL Anzac Day match


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Source: AAP


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