The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been a bumpy ride for Real Madrid so far, but Xabi Alonso and his men are somehow going forward. Four days ago, they wasted the added-time penalty for the win against Al Hilal, and today, they played without the dismissed Raul Asencio since the seventh minute! Still, unlike the match against the Saudi side, tonight they beat the Mexican Pachuca despite all the obstacles – 3-1.Truth be told, it took them some time to adapt to the situation on the pitch, but two fast attacks in the 35th and 43rd minutes were enough to put them 2-0 in front at the break, with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler exploiting Madrid’s only two chances in the opening half.CWC: Windy Philly saw Kenan, the Man and Juve’s gang of youngstersThibaut Courtois was terrific in the first period, keeping Los Blancos’ head above water while Pachuca threatened. After the break, the Belgian became the key figure in Alonso’s team, stopping several rivals’ dangerous efforts. He finished the game with ten saves (?!) and was a definite Man of the Match.Fede Valverde “put the last nail in Pachuca’s coffin,” making it 3-0 20 minutes before the end, while Elias Montiel netted a well-deserved goal for Pachuca in the 80th minute.Real Madrid take down Pachuca 3-1, despite playing down a man since the seventh minute.That five-time Club World Cup champion pedigree 😏 pic.twitter.com/dD88j4ButV— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 22, 2025 The game hadn’t started properly, and Real Madrid faced a serious problem – they were left with ten men on the pitch! Only seven minutes into the match, Raul Asencio fouled Salomon Rondon, the last defender, grabbing him with both hands, and the ref, Ramon Abatti Abel, had no other option but to send him off.7′ RED CARD ALERT!Asencio takes down Rondon and is given a straight red card!Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/MrhAVGCpKR— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025 The centre-back’s dismissal was a sign for Pachuca to go for the opener against the stunned rival and the Mexicans were very close several times, wasting their best opportunity in the 18th minute when Kenedy shot and Alan Bautista tried to find the net of the rebound, but Thibaut Courtois managed to stop both efforts.It took Madrid as many as 35 minutes to recover from shock, but once they threatened for the first time – they scored! Fede Valverde initiated a hasty attack, the Garcias – Gonzalo and Fran – continued it, and Jude Bellingham ended it with a “striker-esque” finish and a deadlock-breaker!Every angle. Every touch. 🎯🔥Jude Bellingham’s finish, exactly how it deserves to be seen. ⚽👑Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUu4lJ | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/sy2oRQ8gz1— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025 43′ GOAL! ⚽Arda Guler is at the right place at the right time to slot it in! @realmadrid now lead 2-0!Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/qsvsA8Jl0z— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025 Seven minutes later, Pachuca had another decent chance over Kenedy, Courtois again came to the rescue, and the punishment for the Mexican crew followed less than a minute later. Another quick Los Blancos’ action, Gonzalo Garcia’s assist, and Arda Guler’s goal made it 2-0 minutes before the break.Interestingly, in the first half, Pachuca had 12 shots (five on target), while Madrid’s only two found the net.Mbappe hospitalized, uncertain for the next few gamesThe second period started with the Mexicans’ pressure, but Courtois once again stepped up, stopping Bryan Gonzalez and two John Kennedy’s dangerous strikes in the opening quarter of an hour. Simply, Los Blancos heavily focused on defending the lead, giving Pachuca the control, but were also aware that their individual quality could easily bring them the third goal.70′ ⚽ GOAL!Federico Valverde scores @realmadrid’s third of the match! 🇺🇾Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/G6sFX0p061— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025 Elías Montiel goal Gives Pachuca a chance for the comeback 👀Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #JUVWAC pic.twitter.com/uZa48htYZG— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025 And it did 20 minutes before the end, when Valverde managed to redeem himself for the wasted penalty against Al Hilal and put the ball in Pachuca’s net following Brahim Diaz’s cross – 3-0! Still, ten minutes later, even Courtois couldn’t have done anything, as Elias Montiel’s effort deflected off Aurelian Tchouameni, tricked the Belgian, and ended up in Madrid’s net.Tonight’s triumph puts Los Blancos to the top of Group H, at least until Red Bull Salzburg play their match against Al Hilal (01.00). Either way, Alonso and his lads made a significant step towards the Round of 16.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 2ThursdayPalmeiras – Al Ahly Cairo 2-0 (0-0)/Abou Ali (og) 49, Lopez 59/Inter Miami – Porto 2-1 (0-1)/Segovia 47, Messi 54 – Aghehowa 8( p)/FridaySeattle – Atletico Madrid 1-3 (0-1)/Rusnak 50 – Barrios 11, 55, Witsel 47/PSG – Botafogo 0-1 (0-1)/Jesus 36/Benfica – Auckland 6-0 (1-0)/Di Maria 45+8 pen, 90+8 pen, Pavlidis 53, Sanchez 63, Barreiro 76, 78/Flamengo Chelsea 3-1 (0-1)/Henrique 62, Danilo 65, Wallace 85 – Neto 13/SaturdayLos Angeles – Esperance 0-1 (0-0)/Belaili 70/Bayern – Boca Juniors 2-1 (1-0)/Kane 18, Olise 84 – Merentiel 66/Mamelodi – Dortmund 3-4 (1-3)/Ribeiro 11, Rayners 62, Mothiba 90 – Nmecha 16, Guirassy 34, Bellingham 45, Mudau 59 (og)/Inter Milan – Urawa RD 2-1 (0-1)/Martinez 78, Carboni 90+2 – Watanabe 11/SundayFluminense – Ulsan 4-2 (1-2)/Arias 27, Nonato 66, Freytes 83, Keno 90+2 – Lee 37, Um 45+3/River Plate – Monterrey 0-0Juventus – Wydad Casablanca 4-1 (2-1)/Boutouil 6 og, Yildiz 16, 69, Vlahovic 90+4 pen – Lorch 25/Real Madrid – Pachuca 3-1 (2-0)/Bellingham 35, Guler 43, Valverde 70 – Montiel 80/Monday00:55: (4.10) Salzburg (3.60) Al Hilal (1.88)04:00: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Al Ain (35.0)***odds are subject to change***
