Victory with ten men against Pachuca

Real Madrid beat Pachuca at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to move to four points in Club World Cup Group H. They did so with a player fewer from almost the start of the match due to Asencio’s sending off, but the team managed to overcome the setback and went into the break 2-0 up thanks to goals from Bellingham and Arda Güler. In the second half, Valverde extended the lead after a lovely combination with Brahim and Montiel’s shot deflected off Tchouameni before ending up in the back of the net to settle the 3-1 final score. 

The match took a turn for the worse after seven minutes when Asencio was sent off for a foul on Rondón when he was the last man before Courtois. Real Madrid had to play with a man fewer for more than 80 minutes and Pachuca tried to take advantage with balls over the top. The Mexican side's chance came in the 18th minute. Courtois saved Kenedy's shot and showed even more competence in saving Bautista's follow-up.

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Xabi Alonso's side were barely troubled at the back and took the lead with a quick counter-attack. Valverde started the move in the 35th minute, Gonzalo continued it with a deft backheel for Fran García, who got behind the defence and was finished off by Bellingham, who arrived late into the box to score with a precise left-foot shot. Eight minutes later came our team's second. In the 43rd minute, Trent combined inside the area with Gonzalo, who set up Arda Güler with a sublime first-time touch. The Turkish player finished with perfection into the far corner with a right-footed shot.

Valverde extends the lead
After the break, Pachuca came out strongly and tried to reduce the deficit. They could have done so in the 56th minute with Rondón’s shot from inside the six-yard box that failed to find the target, and in the 61st minute with a shot from John Kennedy from the edge of the area that required a full-stretch save from Courtois. The Mexican side's attacks spurred on Xabi Alonso's men, who first took control of the game with the introduction of Ceballos and Modrić, and then made it 3-0. Valverde combined with Brahim in the 70th minute and took advantage of the Malaga-born player's assist to put the ball in the net with a touch in the air.

Rüdiger returns
The match also saw Rüdiger return to the pitch following injury. The German replaced Trent in the 78th minute. Two minutes later, Montiel made it 3-1 with a shot from the edge of the box that ricocheted off Tchouameni. From then until the end, Xabi Alonso's side had more control and now have four points in Club World Cup Group H and will fight for top spot on the final matchday against Salzburg.