Real Madrid’s Grit Shines Through in Club World Cup Thriller
If you thought a red card in the opening quarter meant disaster for a football giant, Real Madrid just flipped that idea on its head. On June 22, 2025, fans in Charlotte got their money’s worth as Madrid, down to 10 men for over an hour, muscled out a 3-1 win against Pachuca in the FIFA Club World Cup. Xabi Alonso, freshly installed as manager, watched his team dig deep, survive relentless pressure, and snatch chances with razor-sharp precision at the Bank of America Stadium.
The night almost spun off course for Madrid right away. Raúl Asencio saw straight red before half an hour had passed, tipping the odds in Pachuca’s favor. But adversity seemed to spark Madrid’s seasoned stars into action. Jude Bellingham, cool as ever, ghosted into the box and found the net late in the first half, turning the mood around. Just before the break, Arda Güler doubled the lead after a snap of Madrid brilliance—two goals from three shots summed up their efficiency.
Pachuca, desperate to keep their Club World Cup hopes alive, threw everything forward. The stats tell the story: 25 shots to Madrid’s 8, and they had Madrid penned back for much of the game. But every time Pachuca thought they had pulled it back, Thibaut Courtois slammed the door shut. Ten saves, each more crucial than the last, kept Madrid in front. A sprawling fingertip stop, a reflex block from close range—Courtois was everywhere. You could see the frustration mounting for Pachuca as their best efforts fizzled out in front of goal.
Key Moments: Valverde’s Volley and Pachuca’s Missed Chances
Just when Pachuca looked ready to make life miserable in the second half, Madrid struck again with some lovely one-touch football. Brahim Díaz danced past his marker and squared it for Federico Valverde, who slid in to volley home Madrid’s third goal. The Bank of America Stadium erupted, and you could feel Pachuca’s spirit drop—three shots on target, three goals for Madrid.
Pachuca finally got on the board late, thanks to Elias Montiel’s deflected shot finding its way past Courtois in the 80th minute. But it was too little, too late. Their flow, creativity, and constant pressure just couldn’t break down Madrid’s stubborn back line for most of the night. The goal felt more like consolation than comeback.
This match wasn’t just about tactics or technique—it was about mental grit. Xabi Alonso, who joined Madrid only this season, punched in his first win as boss in the most demanding circumstances. Madrid’s Group H campaign is suddenly back on track—they’ve got four points and know that a result against RB Salzburg will see them through to the knockout rounds. Real Madrid fans will sleep easy, but for Pachuca, the night brought only regret. Good football doesn’t always add up to good results, and this loss sent them packing early from the World Cup stage.
