Ten-man Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-1 to register first win of Club World Cup

Real Madrid showed grit and quality as they overcame an early red card to beat Mexico’s Pachuca 3-1 on Sunday, moving a step closer to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The win, at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina, puts Madrid atop Group H with four points, while Pachuca are eliminated following back-to-back defeats.

The match got off to a dramatic start when Raul Asencio was sent off in just the 7th minute for denying Salomon Rondon a clear goalscoring opportunity.


Down to ten men, Real appeared vulnerable, with Pachuca testing Thibaut Courtois early through Kenedy and Alan Bautista. However, the Belgian goalkeeper was equal to the task, making key saves to keep the game level.


Madrid soon took control despite their numerical disadvantage. In the 35th minute, a slick team move opened the scoring - Gonzalo Garcia’s deft flick released Fran Garcia, who fed Jude Bellingham, and the Englishman calmly slotted home with his left foot.

Two minutes later, Arda Guler made it 2-0, finishing off a well-worked move initiated by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross and another clever lay-off from Gonzalo.

Pachuca came out strong after the break, launching a series of attacks on Courtois's goal, but the Madrid keeper stood firm. Substitute John Kennedy, Rondon, and Bryan Gonzalez all came close, while Javier Eduardo Lopez squandered a golden chance after a defensive lapse.

Real put the result beyond doubt in the 70th minute when Federico Valverde finished a slick one-two with Brahim Diaz to make it 3-0. Pachuca eventually pulled one back late in the game through Elias Montiel, whose deflected effort wrong-footed Courtois.