Reduced to ten men after just seven minutes, Real Madrid dug deep in the Charlotte heat to beat Mexican side Pachuca 3-1 and take a major step toward the Club World Cup last 16.
Xabi Alonso’s side were dealt an early blow when defender Raul Asencio was shown red for hauling down Salomon Rondon, leaving Madrid with a long road ahead against a lively Pachuca side.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid showed clinical precision. Jude Bellingham, as ever, was the spark, latching onto a through ball and coolly finishing to give the Spanish giants the lead.
Arda Guler doubled the advantage just before the break, capitalising on a slick move involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gonzalo Garcia. Federico Valverde then made it three, stabbing home amid a rare moment of chaos in the Pachuca box.
Yet the scoreline belied the struggle. Pachuca had 25 shots, dominated possession, and saw a penalty appeal waved away by VAR. Without Thibaut Courtois’ heroics, including a sharp double save from Rondon and Alan Bautista, Real might have been punished.
Rondon and Kenedy, former Newcastle teammates, continually tested Madrid’s reshuffled backline, particularly after Asencio’s dismissal. Real’s defence looked vulnerable in transition, and Elias Montiel eventually pulled one back with a deflected strike to make it 3-1.
But the damage was already done. Pachuca’s wastefulness cost them dearly, and the Mexican champions were officially eliminated following the defeat.
For Real, this was a much-needed bounce after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in Alonso’s debut. Victory over Salzburg on Friday would seal a knockout berth, with hopes of welcoming Kylian Mbappé back from illness.
