FIFA Club World Cup
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Real Madrid are down to 10 men early on in their second game of the 2025 Club World Cup against Pachuca.
Raul Asencio — who conceded a penalty in the opening game — was sent off for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity in the seventh minute.
Xabi Alonso's first game as manager ended in stalemate against Al Hilal, so he will not have been happy to see the early red card to one of his best centre-backs. Pachuca, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by Austrians RB Salzburg in their opener, so will be eliminating if they lose against Madrid.
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35' Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca
Who else?
It's a lovely move from Real Madrid and a lovely finish from Jude Bellingham to give Real Madrid a lead that is frankly against the run of play.
Why always him, et cetera.
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When Xabi Alonso first arrived at Bayer Leverkusen, it did not go well immediately.
Initially, that group of players struggled with the patterns of attacking play that he tried to introduce and a lot of their ball circulation was laborious and slow.
Clearly Alonso is working with a more talented side now, but those teething problems are worth remembering.
So far, this is probably not what Florentino Perez had hoped to see at the Club World Cup.
He’s been an advocate for the tournament publicly, but part of that enthusiasm presumably lay with the hope of being able to brand Real as World Champions for the next four years.
Now, just qualifying from the group suddenly looks a challenge.
30' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
Aaaaand breathe.
Both players take on some fluids after a dramatic half an hour.
Great game so far!
Huijsen has been Madrid’s best defender so far in the tournament.
That’s not saying a lot, but the €50m signing from Bournemouth has been very good in possession, regularly spearing the ball forward to teammates in advanced positions.
That was a nice, calm authoritative interception to cut out a dangerous Pachuca attack. Which can’t be easy for the 20-year-old to do with all the chaos around him.
Pachuca supporters chanting ‘olé’ for each pass by their team.
Madrid struggling to control the game again.
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Every time Pachuca attack it is panic stations in the Madrid defence.
It was Arda Guler last player back there as the Mexican side attacked from a corner, and it was a clumsy challenge which was quite fortunate not to give away a penalty.
Lack of organisation all through Alonso’s side.
26' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
A pause in play as Pachuca want a penalty. Arda Guler clashed with Elias Montiel in the box. It looked like a foul…
A young kid in the stands gestures for a VAR check. And they oblige! But they uphold the ref's original decision. We play on.
Perhaps it needed a bit more for the officials to overturn the original on-field call?
Of course, Rondon was involved in the attacking move.
24' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
Brilliant skill from Vinicius Junior, to beat his opposite man and scorch infield.
Low cross aimed at Gonzalo Garcia, behind for a corner off the defender.
Salomon Rondon is proving absolutely unplayable up front for Pachuca.
Having already seen off Asencio easily, he seemed to be away from Tchouameni and clear on the goal, but the referee called the play back.
Madrid unable to deal with him at all so far.
20' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
Ooh, are Pachuca unlucky there?
The ball is bouncing through, last man Tchouameni tussling with Rondon, he seems to slip as he falls over, Rondon is one on one… but the referee calls it back for a foul from Rondon!
On first glance, it seemed harsh. But replays prove Rondon was grabbing Tchouameni and tugged his shirt. It is a foul, similar to Asencio's on Rondon himself. Consistent officiating.
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Whether it was with 11 men against Al Hilal or 10 men here, Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Madrid’s right side exposed.
It happened again just now, and is something that opponents are already growing wise to.
Trent was up in attack for the 10 men with a cross which was easily cut out.
Seconds later Pachuca raced forward on the break, with Madrid’s two defenders outnumbered and Courtois twice had to save.
Alonso is getting more worried by the minute.
After Courtois' double save, he called Trent to the touchline to give him directions.
18' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
It's all happening now! Goodness me, this is fast and furious.
Real Madrid are caught too high up the pitch, Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn't got back into position after a cross, Tchouameni too high as well.
Pachuca sling it down the left and suddenly Rondon has the ball at his feet and it's a two on one! Brilliant defending from Dean Huijsen, who holds him up and intercepts his pass towards the charging Alan Bautista.
Ball drops back to Rondon, outside to Kenedy, who shoots, Courtois parries, the rebound is right there for Bautista but somehow he scuffs it and Courtois gets up off the floor to push it away!
Then Palavecino is booked.
Pachuca and Real Madrid last met in a Club World Cup in December, the old version of the tournament.
Madrid cruised to a 3-0 win but young Pachuca midfielder Elias Montiel stood out.
So much so that he received a firm handshake and a message of encouragement from Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Montiel was praised for his potential by some of Perez's aides.
Today the 19-year-old will be motivated to impress again in a must-win game for the Mexican side.
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15' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
What a dramatic first 15 minutes here!
Another soft back pass from Pachuca aimed at goalie Carlos Moreno, who has a heavy touch, then has to stab his foot out desperately to get to the ball before the rapidly advancing Vinicius Junior.
So, so close to Vini getting an open goal… but Moreno just about pokes it away off his opponent's foot. To Vinicius Junior's eternal credit, despite the (natural and normal) contact between them, he didn't make the most of it and got on with the game.
Good to see.
14' Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
A few minutes ago, there was a nice link-up between two players who were once in English football.
Rondon held the ball up and just teased it into the path of Kenedy round the outside, but he took it a little too far before lashing a shot into the side netting.
Tchouameni is now playing at centre-back after Asencio's red card.
Arda Guler has moved even further back now. It looks like he will be the pivot-organiser, because Fede Valverde is still very high up.
