Real Madrid vs Pachuca
Levels. At the end of the day, Madrid is Madrid. Red card within the first ten minutes? No problem. Spun that royal blunder right round. Up two by halftime and 3-1 by the final whistle. Their tournament opener was just a snag. La Casa Blanca in search of further glory, and their supporters in North Carolina made themselves heard. A mini Bernabéu there for a minute—but hats off to the Pachuca fans as well, who made it an even bigger party at Bank of America Stadium. Is this sleeping giant ready to wake up? Only time will tell, but even as they find their footing under Xabi Alonso, you best bet you’ll see them in the final stages.
Photography by: Peter Bonilla
In sweltering North Carolina heat, Real Madrid showed resilience and composure to secure a 3-1 victory over Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, overcoming an early red card that left them with ten men for most of the match. The win marked Xabi Alonso’s first as Madrid manager, keeping their campaign alive after a shaky draw against Al-Hilal in the opener.
The game got off to a tumultuous start when defender Raúl Asencio was sent off just seven minutes in for a last-man foul on Pachuca’s Salomón Rondón. The dismissal forced Madrid to recalibrate early, relying heavily on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced several key saves to thwart Pachuca’s aggressive start.
Despite being a man down, Madrid capitalized on their moments of brilliance late in the first half. In the 35th minute, Fran García’s surging run down the left wing ended with a perfect cutback to Jude Bellingham, who calmly slotted home a low shot from the edge of the box. Just eight minutes later, a team move of extraordinary fluidity saw Trent Alexander-Arnold whip in a precise cross to Gonzalo García, whose deft touch set up Arda Güler to double the lead with a clinical finish.
Pachuca pushed hard in the second half, firing 25 shots in total, but Madrid’s defense, marshaled by the composed Dean Huijsen, held firm. Courtois continued to shine, denying a flurry of Pachuca chances, including a powerful effort from Bryan González that seemed destined for the top corner.
The breakthrough for Madrid came again in the 70th minute. Fede Valverde, ever the talisman, latched onto Brahim Díaz’s cross and volleyed home from close range, sealing the victory. Although Elias Montiel grabbed a late consolation for Pachuca with a deflected shot, the result was never in doubt.
For Alonso, the victory underscored the team’s adaptability and mental strength. "We defended with sacrifice and waited for our opportunities," he noted. "It’s a great step forward."
Attention now turns to Real Madrid’s final group match against RB Salzburg, where a win or draw would guarantee their spot in the knockout rounds. With the team displaying glimpses of cohesion and promise under Alonso, Madrid fans can hope that this Club World Cup campaign marks the beginning of a new era of dominance.
As Real Madrid marches forward, the promise of players like Bellingham, Güler, and Huijsen points to a bright future. Pachuca’s spirited efforts, meanwhile, reflect the enduring competitiveness of the Club World Cup stage.
