Real Madrid Overcomes Early Setback to Secure 3-1 Victory Over Pachuca in Club World Cup
Real Madrid displayed resilience as they fought back from an early red card to secure a crucial 3-1 victory against Pachuca in the Club World Cup on Sunday. The win positions Los Blancos at the top of Group H, putting them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages.
The match began on a challenging note for Madrid when Raul Asencio received a red card in the seventh minute for a last-man challenge on Salomon Rondon. Despite being reduced to ten men, the team responded admirably, with Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler scoring before halftime to establish a two-goal cushion.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 35th minute, making a penetrating run into the penalty box and firing a precise shot into the bottom corner. Just eight minutes later, Güler found the net following a clever setup, doubling Madrid’s lead going into the break.
Federico Valverde added a third goal in the 70th minute, combining effectively with Brahim Diaz to finish from close range, seemingly sealing the victory for the tournament favorites. Although Pachuca managed to pull one back through Elias Montiel’s deflected effort in the 80th minute, it was not enough to threaten Madrid’s dominance.
Valverde was particularly impressive, earning the man-of-the-match award for his all-around performance, which included a goal and a pass success rate of 93%. Bellingham also shone, demonstrating his importance to the squad as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
The victory comes as a much-needed boost for Real Madrid after their previous draw against Al-Hilal. They will face Red Bull Salzburg in their final group match on June 27, where a win would secure their place in the last 16. Meanwhile, Pachuca has been eliminated from the competition following two defeats.
As Madrid prepares for their next challenge, the return of Kylian Mbappé from illness will be a welcome boost as they aim for further success in the tournament.
