Jese Rodriguez has given Real Madrid a slender 1-0 lead following a fiercely contested first half against Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup in China.

After a high-tempo start, Inter came close to opening the scoring when Hernanes sent a low cross towards Mauro Icardi, but the Argentine failed to connect with his header and the Spanish giants cleared.

At the other end of the pitch, Madrid responded through Gareth Bale, who created two chances in quick succession - a header, which fell straight into the hands of Samir Handanovic, and a low shot, but the Welshman's effort dragged just wide of the post.

Minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo found his rhythm by committing a surging run into the box before drilling a low strike at goal, but Handanovic managed to stop the Ballon d'Or winner.

The La Liga side took control of proceedings around the 20-minute mark when Jese led a counter-attack before sliding a pass into the feet of Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star's finish let him down as his shot dragged wide.

The game's fierce tempo continued as Icardi unleashed a strike, which left goalkeeper Keylor Navas scrambling to cover, but the shot-stopper was allowed to breathe a sigh of relief as his opponent's effort missed the target.

Handanovic was called upon again as he made a double save to deny a low shot from Isco and an attempt from Jese just seconds apart from one another.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute when Jese latched on to Marcelo's pass to slot home and give the 10-time European champions a 1-0 lead.

After taking the lead, Real dominated the closing stages of the half, and Ronaldo came close to doubling the team's lead, but his toe-poked shot in the penalty area was stopped by Handanovic.

Inter ended the first half on the front foot as they tried to test Navas, but Real were able to see it through until the half-time whistle.