Xabi Alonso's side overcame an early red card to dispatch the Liga MX side, and all-but seal a spot in the Club World Cup round of 16
Real Madrid rebounded from their slow start to the Club World Cup, brushing aside Liga MX side Pachuca, 3-1. Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler bagged the goals in a fine showing for Madrid's midfield, and the La Liga giants overcame an early red card to win comfortably.
Madrid were slow to start. Raul Asencio put them in a deep hole early when he dragged down Salomon Rondon as the Venezuelan went through on goal – rightfully earning himself a sending off in the process. They might have conceded soon after, too, when Kenedy squirmed down the left but found only side netting with his shot.
Los Blancos' quality shone through, though, and they scored a wonderfully crafted opener. Gonzalo Garcia flicked onto Fran Garcia, who fed Bellingham centrally for a devastating left-footed finish. They added a second soon after, Arda Guler slotting into the bottom corner after a well-crafted move that saw Trent Alexander-Arnold show his class down the right.
The second half saw a significant drop in intensity for both sides. Xabi Alonso rotated heavily, and it was a substitute who set up the third that killed off the game. Brahim Diaz floated a ball over the defence, which was met by an extended Federico Valverde leg. Pachuca, to their credit, never stopped trying to play, and bagged a deserved consolation after 80 minutes – but seldom looked like offering anything beyond that.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Bank of America Stadium…
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Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Made nine saves, and kept Madrid's lead alive at times. Could do nothing about the Pachuca goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):
Much better. Didn't have loads to do defensively, and was crucial in the second goal.
Raul Asencio (3/10):
Got sent off inside 15 minutes for some silly defending.
Dean Huijsen (7/10):
Held it down at the back after his partner was sent off. Played a lovely pass in the build-up to the third goal.
Fran Garcia (7/10):
Assisted Bellingham's opener, buzzed up and down the left. Making a compelling case to start.
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Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
Dropped into a centre-back role within 10 minutes after Asencio got sent off. Got away with one when the referee's whistle saved him from a silly giveaway.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
Took his goal wonderfully, and created two chances. But held onto the ball a bit too long at times.
Arda Guler (8/10):
Deployed in a deeper role with one eye to controlling the game more. Grabbed a goal and knocked it around well. Could be crucial this year.
Federico Valverde (8/10):
A bundle of energy throughout. Covered loads of ground, linked play, and scored a lovely goal.
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Gonzalo Garcia (7/10):
Assisted the second goal. Making a compelling choice to be a solid backup to Kylian Mbappe.
Vinicius Jr (7/10):
Made a few defenders look silly, completed the most dribbles in the match, but lacked final product.
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Brahim Diaz (7/10):
Twisted and turned his way through the defence. Provided a lovely assist.
Dani Ceballos (6/10):
Floated about and completed all but two of his passes.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Did some lovely things on the ball in an impressive 30 minutes.
Antonio Rudiger (N/A):
A solid showing on his return from a knee operation.
Victor Munoz (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Xabi Alonso (7/10):
Miles better than the performance just a few days ago. Madrid were devastating going forward at times, and although defensive concerns remain, they were good value for the win.