MADRID, Aug 12: Arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona prepared for the start of the La Liga next weekend with identical victories against their respective oppositions in pre-season friendlies on Saturday.

In Philadelphia, French star Karim Benzema inspired Real to a 2-0 victory over Celtic as the Spanish champions wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States.

Gonzalo Higuain split two Celtic defenders and set up Joe Maria Callejon who opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho’s side on 22 minutes.

Karim Benzema added a goal in the 67th, steering a shot to the far left corner of the net that beat goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

Real, who also beat Los Angeles Galaxy, Santos Laguna and AC Milan during the World Football Challenge, begin the defence of their league title at home to Valencia next Sunday.

In Romania, Barca striker David Villa returned to action as he appeared briefly in a 2-0 friendly success for Barcelona over Dinamo Bucharest.

He came on in the 73rd minute of a win secured with goals from Argentine star Lionel Messi and Dutch flier Ibrahim Affelay and said he had “felt very good on the pitch” and was “very pleased” with his return.

Barca, whose three-year run as Spanish champions was ended by Real last season, play their opening match of the 2012-13 campaign at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.—Agencies