Real Madrid brushed off a slow start and an early red card to defeat Pachuca 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Sunday in Charlotte.
Pachuca’s Salomon Rondon drew an early sending off for Raul Asencio, but Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stepped up in a big way with 10 saves.
MORE — 2025 Club World Cup schedule, results, tables, how to watch live
Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler scored first-half goals and Fede Valverde made it 3-0 with a terrific finish of a Brahim pass before young Elias Montiel fired Pachuca onto the scoreboard.
That’s four points for Madrid, one more than Salzburg and three more than Al Hilal before those two kickoff Sunday. Pachuca remain pointless through two matches.
Courtois, Bellingham get headlines but Dean Huijsen shines
Real Madrid’s back line has been riddled with injuries for months. That’s one of the reason Real made it a priority to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen prior to the Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold helped set up a goal while being not ideal at the back in a familiar pattern — no surprise that Fede Valverde was often on Alexander-Arnold’s side — but ex-Bournemouth man Huijsen was magnificent. He read the game well, got involved in 13 duels, and sent 11 balls into the final third. The Dutch-born Spain international only turned 20 in April and may lay claim to a starting spot with returning Antonio Rudiger before the other center backs are healthy enough to compete for the place.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Fede Valverde is probably thrilled to be away from right back, and he looked it. Bellingham’s goal was great and VIni Junior’s threat massive. Courtois, of course, with his 10 huge saves was the Man of the Match.
As for Pachuca, ex-Chelsea man Kenedy was good and Rondon influential, but 19-year-old Montiel stood out even before his goal. Linked with Manchester City, Montiel may end up one of several players whose price tags shoot to the moon — or near it — on this bigger stage.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Real Madrid vs Pachuca player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Two 9pm ET Thursday games.
Al Hilal meet Pachuca in Nashville and Real tangle with Salzburg in Philadelphia.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Pachuca live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Sunday (June 22)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
TV Channel/Streaming: Watch live on DAZN, for free
Real Madrid vs Pachuca live updates as they happened, final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Jude Bellingham 35', Ardu Guler 43', Federico Valverde 70', Elias Montiel 80'
Elias Montiel goal — Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
What a moment for the Mexican teenager!
80' ⚽ GOAL FOR PACHUCA!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Montiel tries from the distance and a wicked deflection leaves Courtois stranded! It's 3-1 in Charlotte!
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Fede Valverde goal — Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca (70th minute)
The precision of this!
70' ⚽ GOAL!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Federico Valverde scores @realmadrid's third of the match! 🇺🇾
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/G6sFX0p061
Halftime — Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
Real will be thrilled with their lead and play since Raul Asencio’s red card, though Courtois is a main reason this is 2-0 and not 2-2.
Arda Guler goal — Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca (43rd minute)
Trent Alexander-Arnold chops an ankle-height cross into the heart of the 18, and Fran Garcia knocks it down for Arda Guler.
No one has hold of the Turkiye international, who nails a low shot to the right of Moreno.
43' GOAL! ⚽
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Arda Guler is at the right place at the right time to slot it in! @realmadrid now lead 2-0!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/qsvsA8Jl0z
Courtois again!
Kenedy is robbed by his ex-Chelsea teammate Courtois.
Jude Bellingham goal — Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca (35th minute)
Oh that’s a thoroughbred’s goal.
Fran Garcia plays a cutback that could reach Vinicius Junior, but Jude Bellingham had sniffed it out earlier and races onto the pass.
The ex-Dortmund man drills a low shot past Carlos Moreno.
The 10-man Meringues lead late in the first half.
https://x.com/DAZNFootball/status/1936871912921080282
Thibaut Courtois heroics
Pachuca counter with fervor down the left.
Kenedy rips a shot that Courtois parries onto the path of Alexei Dominguez, who pummels a shot that the Belgian pushes away.
Really good double save to keep it 0-0.
18' DOUBLE SAVE!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Courtois steps up BIG TIME and saves @realmadrid twice in a couple of seconds! 🧤
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAPAC pic.twitter.com/zh98TdyIv4
Real Madrid red card
The sixth minute sees Salomon Rondon get behind Raul Asencio, who gets a hold of Rondon’s jersey and a hand on his back.
Rondon is turned and makes sure to hit the deck, winning a central free kick as Asencio is shown a straight red card.
83 minutes down a man are ahead for Real!
Real Madrid lineup
Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Tchouameni, Guler, Bellingham, Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo
Pachuca lineup
Moreno, Pereira, Bauermann, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Palavecino, Montiel, Bautista, Dominguez, R. Kenedy, Rondon
Real Madrid vs Pachuca preview
Madrid are coming off a surprise 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the opening game of their FIFA Club World Cup, a late saved penalty keeping them from all three points.
Pachuca also suffered a debut setback, out-attempting Red Bull Salzburg 17-10 but losing 2-1 in Cincinnati. Bryan Gonzalez scored for the Liga MX side, who boasts Premier League veterans Salomon Rondon and Kenedy as well as Moroccan import Oussama Idrissi.
Real are still Real even with a long list of defensive injuries complicating their group stage, while Pachuca are still getting their legs under them following a month without games between the Clausura quarterfinal and a pre-tournament friendly with Al Ahly.
Real Madrid team news, focus
Kylian Mbappe has not enjoyed his Club World Cup so far, suffering from a stomach issue that required a trip to the hospital. He’s back with the team, though not necessarily in the team.
Pachuca team news, focus
Rondon and Idrissia have led the way in terms of playmaking, and there’s a threat in out-of-form but previously red-hot 23-year-old Fluminense loanee John Kennedy.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca prediction
Pachuca may have the backing of a solid crowd, but Real always have support and are heavy favorites to get their CWC on track. Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca.
