Real Madrid, reduced to ten men for almost the entire match, displayed remarkable resilience to secure a hard-fought 3-1 victory against Pachuca in their FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) opener. The win not only marks a successful debut for new boss Xabi Alonso but also confirms Pachuca’s elimination from the tournament, as they extended their losing streak against European opposition in the CWC to three games.
Pachuca, widely considered heavy underdogs heading into the clash against the European giants, saw their hopes for a seismic upset surge within the opening ten minutes. A hopeful ball played in behind found Salomon Rondon, who had gained a crucial advantage over Real defender Raul Asencio. Asencio, as the last man, was forced to drag Rondon to the ground, resulting in an undeniable red card that left the Spanish champions facing an uphill battle for the majority of the encounter.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid found themselves on the back foot for prolonged periods. Pachuca quickly capitalized on their advantage, launching a rapid counter-attack that culminated in an impressive double save from Thibaut Courtois, denying Kenedy first, then Alan Bautista on the follow-up.
However, against the run of play, the ten-man Real Madrid seized the lead with an air of clinical simplicity. A clever run from Jude Bellingham was perfectly picked out by Fran Garcia, and the English midfielder arrowed a left-footed effort precisely into the bottom corner. Before the break, Pachuca were reminded of the harsh realities of top-tier football when a sweeping Real move, involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gonzalo Garcia, was expertly finished off by Arda Guler, doubling the lead.
Unsurprisingly, Pachuca dominated possession in the second half, driven by their man advantage. A golden opportunity arose within 15 minutes of the restart as Federico Pereira’s header across goal found Rondon, who directed his effort inches wide of the post, narrowly missing a chance to pull one back.
Any lingering hopes the Mexican side harbored of a comeback were largely extinguished twenty minutes from time. This time, it was Pachuca caught on the counter, as Brahim Diaz’s teasing delivery was prodded home by the outstretched leg of Federico Valverde, effectively placing the game beyond any reasonable doubt.
Pachuca did, however, manage to grab a consolation goal that their sustained efforts warranted, albeit with an element of fortune. Elias Montiel’s strike deflected in off the outstretched leg of Aurelien Tchouameni, offering a small reward for their persistent pressure.
Ultimately, Montiel’s goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Pachuca, whose CWC journey has now concluded. Real Madrid’s hard-fought victory, their first of the tournament and under new manager Xabi Alonso, positions them well for progression, though they still have work to do if they aim to top the group.
