Rеаl Mаdrіd dеlіvеrеd a rеѕіlіеnt аnd commanding реrfоrmаnсе tо еаrn a vіtаl 3-1 wіn оvеr Mеxісаn ѕіdе Pасhuса іn thеіr second Group H mаtсh аt thе 2025 FIFA Club World Cuр. The match took place at the Bank of America Stadium on Monday morning (June 23), and it proved to be a defining moment in Madrid’s campaign, especially under the leadership of head coach Xabi Alonso.
What made this victory truly special was the adversity Madrid had to overcome. Los Blancos were reduced to 10 men as early as the 7th minute following a straight red card to defender Raul Asencio for a reckless challenge on Salomon Rondon. Yet, despite playing with a numerical disadvantage for more than 80 minutes, Real Madrid rose to the occasion, showing composure, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit.
Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Federico Valverde sealed the win for the Spanish giants, pushing them to the top of Group H with four points — level with Salzburg but ahead on goal difference. This result also marked Xabi Alonso’s first competitive win as Real Madrid’s manager, signaling the beginning of a promising new era at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Let’s take a deeper look at how each Real Madrid player performed in this important match:
Goalkeeper and Defense
Thibaut Courtois – 9/10
The Belgian goalkeeper was nothing short of sensational. Facing relentless pressure from Pachuca, Courtois made an incredible 10 crucial saves, many of them at close range. His sharp reflexes and calm under pressure kept Madrid’s lead intact. Easily the Man of the Match, Courtois was the wall that Pachuca couldn’t break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English full-back was active in attack, delivering a series of dangerous crosses and playing a key role in the build-up to Arda Guler’s goal. However, his defensive performance had a few shaky moments, including some poor decisions in distribution and positioning.
Raul Asencio – 4/10
A night to forget for the young center-back. He received a red card just seven minutes into the match for a high tackle, putting his team in a difficult position early on. A costly lapse in discipline that will likely see him sidelined for the next match.
Dean Huijsen – 7.5/10
Huijsen stepped up admirably after Asencio’s dismissal. Calm on the ball and composed under pressure, he played a key role in organizing the backline. His ability to initiate plays from deep was crucial to Madrid’s counter-attacks.
Francisco Garcia – 8/10
Garcia had one of his best outings in a Madrid shirt. The left-back contributed both defensively and offensively, assisting in the lead-up to Bellingham’s opening goal and handling Pachuca’s pacey wingers with poise.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni – 7.5/10
Initially deployed in midfield, Tchouameni had to adapt quickly to playing as a center-back after Asencio’s red card. While the transition was challenging at first, he eventually settled and helped stabilize Madrid’s backline with impressive composure and physical presence.
Federico Valverde – 8.5/10
Valverde was the engine of Madrid’s midfield. His tireless running, combined with smart positioning and technical excellence, made him a dominant force. He capped off his performance with a well-taken goal that sealed the win for Los Blancos.
Jude Bellingham – 8.5/10
The Englishman continues to thrive on the big stage. Bellingham scored the opener with a clever finish and remained a constant attacking threat throughout the match. His box-to-box presence also helped Madrid manage the midfield battle despite being a man down.
Attack
Arda Guler – 8.5/10
The Turkish prodigy was electric in the attacking third. He scored a brilliant goal with exceptional technique and vision, and his creativity constantly troubled the Pachuca defense. Guler is quickly becoming a key figure in Madrid’s attacking setup.
Gonzalo Garcia – 8/10
Despite limited minutes, Garcia left his mark. He assisted Guler’s goal with an intelligent pass and showed excellent awareness and composure under pressure. His link-up play was mature beyond his years.
Vinicius Junior – 7.5/10
Vinicius caused problems down the left flank with his blistering pace and dribbling. While he didn’t register a goal or assist, his ability to stretch the defense and create space was vital in breaking down Pachuca’s backline.
Substitutes
Brahim Diaz – 7.5/10
Came off the bench and made an immediate impact. Diaz assisted Valverde’s goal and injected fresh energy into Madrid’s attack. His footwork and movement made him difficult to contain late in the game.
Luka Modric, Daniel Ceballos, Antonio Rudiger, Victor Munoz – N/A
These players came on too late to influence the outcome significantly. Victor Munoz, in particular, entered in the 87th minute and had minimal involvement in the action.
Real Madrid’s 3-1 triumph over Pachuca in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was a showcase of resilience, tactical adaptability, and individual brilliance. Despite going down to 10 men early, the Spanish giants never looked rattled and managed to control key moments of the game. With this victory, they not only boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds but also send a clear message: under Xabi Alonso, a new era of dominance could be on the horizon.
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