10-Man Real Madrid crush Pachuca in Club World Cup thriller

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Despite playing with 10 men for over 80 minutes, Real Madrid produced a commanding performance to overpower Mexico’s Pachuca 3–1 in the FIFA Club World Cup second round clash on Sunday night.

Madrid were reduced to ten men as early as the 7th minute when forward Raul Asencio received a straight red card for a reckless reaction, leaving his side a man down and seemingly vulnerable.

Pachuca immediately sought to capitalise, with Agustin Palavecino curling a powerful free kick just inches over the bar in the 8th minute.

The Mexican side continued to press, forcing Thibaut Courtois into several fine saves, including a brilliant double effort to deny Alan Bautista and Kenedy.

In the 25th minute, Pachuca appealed for a penalty after Alexei Dominguez went down in the box, but a VAR review upheld the referee’s original decision to wave play on.

Real Madrid, despite their numerical disadvantage, remained composed and lethal on the counter. Their breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Fran Garcia found Jude Bellingham in space inside the area. The England star slotted a calm finish into the bottom right corner to make it 1–0.

Just before halftime, Arda Guler doubled Madrid’s advantage with a clinical strike after receiving a clever assist from Gonzalo Garcia, sending the Spanish giants into the break with a 2–0 lead.

Pachuca tried to mount a comeback in the second half, with Salomon Rondon and John Kennedy both going close, but Courtois’ heroics between the posts repeatedly frustrated the Mexican side.

Madrid extended their lead in the 70th minute when Federico Valverde latched onto a lofted pass from Brahim Diaz and rifled a shot into the top left corner to make it 3–0.

Pachuca finally got on the scoresheet in the 80th minute through Elias Montiel, whose deflected strike from the edge of the box beat the otherwise impeccable Courtois.

Despite further attempts from Carlos Sanchez and another penalty shout involving Valverde, Madrid stood firm and saw out a well-earned victory.