Real Madrid defeats Pachuca 3-1 despite playing with 10 men

Real Madrid demonstrated their resilience by defeating Pachuca 3-1 in the Club World Cup match at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.

Xabi Alonso’s team had to play with 10 men after Raúl Asencio received a red card in the seventh minute for fouling Salomón Rondón — yet this setback didn’t hinder their performance.

Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Federico Valverde each scored for Madrid — while Elias Montiel managed to breach Thibaut Courtois’s defense who impressed with 10 saves.

“It was a test of our character and leadership. The manager decided to change shape, and we all took that responsibility well,” said Bellingham, who was named the match’s MVP.

Bellingham also revealed he will undergo shoulder surgery — which has been troubling him for about 1.5 years — immediately after the tournament ends.

The match was marked by an incident at the end when FIFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated following a clash between Antonio Rüdiger and Gustavo Cabral — an allegation denied by the Pachuca player.