Xabi Alonso Earns First Win as Real Madrid Manager in Club World Cup Thriller

Real Madrid claimed their first victory under Xabi Alonso with a dramatic 3–1 win over Mexican side Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup, despite being reduced to ten men after just seven minutes.

It didn’t take long for the new boss to face adversity. For the second consecutive match, defender Raúl Asencio made headlines for the wrong reasons — this time receiving a straight red card for a last-man foul on Salomón Rondón, who was bearing down on goal.

That early dismissal put Madrid on the back foot, and Pachuca took full advantage, dominating possession and testing Thibaut Courtois throughout the first half. But the Belgian goalkeeper stood firm, delivering yet another top-class performance.

Cooling Break Sparks Real’s Revival

Midway through the first half, players paused for a hydration break — a now-customary feature in the sweltering conditions of this Club World Cup. Alonso used the moment to reorganize his side, and it paid off handsomely. Just five minutes later, Jude Bellingham finished off a slick vertical move to give Madrid the lead against the run of play.

Real doubled their advantage before half-time, with Arda Güler calmly slotting home from the edge of the box after another fluid build-up — a sign that Alonso's tactical adjustments had found their rhythm.

Courtois Stands Tall as Madrid Seals the Win

Pachuca refused to fold and continued to bombard the Madrid goal. By the 61st minute, the Mexicans led 20–7 in total shots and 9–2 in efforts on target. Yet Courtois remained unbeatable until late on — denying Pachuca repeatedly with smart saves.

Madrid sealed the result with a third goal in the 70th minute: Federico Valverde timed his run perfectly and swept home Brahim Díaz’s low cross. Pachuca pulled one back ten minutes later, but it was too little, too late.

The result knocks Pachuca out of the tournament, while Real Madrid move closer to securing a place in the knockout stages. Their final group match comes against Red Bull Salzburg.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Real - Pachuca 3:1 (2:0)
Goals: Bellingham, 35 (1:0); Güler A., 43 (2:0); Valverde F., 70 (3:0); Montiel, 80 (3:1)

Real: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold (Rudiger, 78); Asencio R. (till 7); García Fr.; Huijsen; García G. (Diaz Br., 46); Güler A. (Modric, 60); Tchouaméni; Bellingham (Dani Ceballos, 60); Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior (Muñoz, 87)
Bench: Gonzalez Fran; Lunin Andriy; Aguado D.; Ramon J.; Andres Chema; Vazquez L.; Martin Ma.; Rodrygo; Endrick
Red cards: Asencio R. 7'

Pachuca: Moreno C.; Bauermann; González Br.; Pereira Fed.; Rodriguez L. (López J. E., 60); Montiel; Kenedy (Sánchez Car., 60); Bautista (Kennedy, 46); Domínguez Al. (Cabral, 46); Palavecino (Guzmán, 72); Rondón
Bench: Jurado; Aceves; Barreto; Berlanga; Pedraza; Homenchenko; Luna; Rodríguez E.; Hurtado; Hernández I.
Yellow Cards: Palavecino 18