Real Madrid came away with a gritty 3–1 victory over Pachuca in Matchday 2 of Group H at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The Spanish giants were dealt an early blow when defender Raul Asencio was sent off just seven minutes into the match. Despite playing nearly the entire game with 10 men, Madrid found a way to get the job done.
Following the red card, the Mexican side looked to capitalize on their numerical advantage and pushed forward in search of an opener. However, Real Madrid’s backline held firm, showcasing a disciplined and organized defensive effort.
Pachuca’s aggressive approach left gaps at the back, and the reigning European champions made them pay. In the 35th minute, Fran Garcia slipped a clever ball through to Jude Bellingham, who buried a low, driven shot into the bottom corner to give Madrid the lead.
Just eight minutes later, Los Blancos doubled their advantage. After a slick team move, young star Arda Guler finished with confidence to send Madrid into halftime up 2–0 — a commanding position considering they were down a man since the opening minutes.
In the second half, Pachuca continued to push forward, desperate to claw their way back into the game. But Madrid never looked out of control. In the 70th minute, Federico Valverde put the result beyond doubt, capping off a swift counterattack with a goal off a pinpoint assist from Brahim Díaz.
Pachuca eventually pulled one back in the 79th minute thanks to a well-placed strike from Elías Montiel, but the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation. With the win, Madrid took a major step toward securing a spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
