Real Madrid showed true grit in Charlotte as they edged Pachuca 3-1 at the Club World Cup, even after going down to 10 men early in the match! 😎 The game was a rollercoaster with an early setback when defender Raul Asencio received a red card just seven minutes in.
Undeterred, Los Blancos quickly found their rhythm. In the 35th minute, Jude Bellingham turned the tide with a stunning left-footed shot into the right corner, setting the tone for the match.
Only eight minutes later, Arda Güler doubled the lead with a brilliant strike from the center of the box, showing that a red card couldn’t dampen their spirit. Federico Valverde later sealed the win with a slick sliding effort after receiving a smart pass from Brahim Díaz.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was outstanding in the first half with five crucial saves, even though Pachuca’s Elías Montiel managed to get on the scoreboard in the 80th minute. This victory marks an important step towards the knockout stage and marks coach Xabi Alonso’s first win in charge.
Meanwhile, Juventus and Manchester City also advanced to the last 16, adding to an action-packed day at the tournament. This mix of youthful energy and tactical brilliance continues to heat up the competition, promising even more excitement ahead! ⚽🔥
Reference(s):
Ten-man Real Madrid edge Pachuca, Juventus and City advance to last 16
cgtn.com
