It was not the result the partisan 7he Sevens crowd wanted to see. But this was a night when scorelines did not matter.

AC Milan came away with the honours from the Dubai Football Challenge, Stephan El Shaarawy's brace helping the Italians to inflict a 4-2 defeat on Real Madrid – their first since September 13.

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The reigning Champions League and Club World Cup holders will care little, a Spanish record 22-match winning run in competitive games remains intact.

This friendly, the most high-profile ever played on UAE soil, was more about winning hearts and minds. In this battle, there was only one victor.

Italy forward El Shaarawy dominated the match, a welcome confidence boost for a 22-year-old struggling to re-discover his best form in Serie A following crippling foot injuries.

The game, however, came to life whenever Cristiano Ronaldo was involved. Screams met his every touch prior to his half-time removal, the loudest noise from a crowd that often sat in reverence rather than revelling in the moment.

Only tennis world no1 and Milan fan Novak Djokovic's arrival at the break, which included a centre-circle kick about with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, ever threatened the 29-year-old's top billing.

The stands at the sold-out 7he Sevens were packed to see the Portugal superstar and his fellow Galacticos, partisan Real supporters still trying to force their way into the ground long after the start as the narrow roads leading in heaved under the volume of cars.

Dubai has been transfixed by the presence of these giants of football, the most decorated clubs in European Cup history.

As far as mid-winter friendlies go, the supporters can feel they got good value for money. Both bosses were as good as their pre-match words, Real's Carlo Ancelotti and Milan's Filippo Inzaghi showing off their squads.

The sides operate in very different realms these days. Milan are re-building under former striker Inzaghi, sitting seventh in Serie A.

Real's last outing was in Morocco where they became the FIFA Club World Cup champions, crowning a tremendous 2014 which saw the haloed 'Decima' – their 10th Champions League/European Cup trophy – claimed.

This disparity did not transfer to the Emirates, though a helping hand was required.

Stand-in Real centre-back Nacho Fernandez's under-hit back-pass was lapped up by Jeremy Menez in the 24th minute, the on-song France forward dumping goalkeeper Keylor Navas on the ground before stroking home.

Former Milan hero Carlo Ancelotti, a serial trophy winner as player and head coach, was not amused.

Things soon got worse for Los Blancos. El Shaarawy was excellent throughout, his first effort fired in low at the near post from the edge of the area.

Ronaldo was the most celebrated starter for the Spaniards and he did not disappoint his adoring public. His first-time shot on 35 minutes caught leaden-footed Diego Lopez unaware at the near post, heaping embarrassment on the ex-Real shot stopper.

Hope was extinguished soon after Djokovic's star turn. El Shaarawy was one of the few star men left after a raft of substitutions, the Genoa youth product completing his brace with a composed low finish after a slip from Real right-back Dani Carvajal played in Andrea Poli.

The game was pushed beyond the Champions League holders when centre-back Pepe left substitute Giampaolo Pazzini unmarked to head in Milan's fourth.

There was still time for France centre forward Karim Benzema to slot home a late penalty after Fernandez was felled by Mbaye Niang. Gareth Bale fired straight at Michael Agazzi in injury-time as Real pushed, in vain, for more.