Real Madrid face CF Pachuca in the Club World Cup group stages this evening with the aim of getting a first win on the board following a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in their tournament opener.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for the club in that previous match but has yet to settle into the rhythm desired but new head coach Xabi Alonso and will hope to impress in tonight’s match instead.
However, key striker Kylian Mbappe will miss the match due to gastroenteritis after the Frenchman was hospitalised ahead of the draw with Al-Hilal. He is out of hospital now but still needs time to fully recover before he can play an active role in Madrid’s campaign.
This match is also crucial for Pachuca who are on the verge of an early exit following a 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg on Wednesday. The Mexican club finished eighth in Liga MX this season and should pose no trouble to Los Blancos who will hope to settle into Alonso’s style as soon as possible.
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Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
90+2 mins: Five minutes of added time to play in this game.
Enough time for a goal but probably not for two.
Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
89 mins: Pachuca earn a corner and there’s another moment of pressure for Madrid.
The ball is hooked into the box but Dean Huijsen is there to nod the ball clear.
Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
86 mins: Save!
Courtois makes another sharp stop low to his right. A strong right hand stops the ball after a shot from Sanchez and he jumps on it to smother the danger.
Courtois has been Madrid’s best player today. He deserves the Player of the Match award. His performance has been very reminiscent of the one he put in during the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2022.
Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
83 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes now and Madrid’s cushion isn’t as strong as it was.
Pachuca are the ones pushing for more goal. Montiel shoots again but this time the effort is very poor and goes flying out for a goal kick.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca (Elias Montiel, 80′)
Is this a twist?
Elias Montiel receives the ball in space on the edge of the Real penalty area.
He spins and shoots. The effort is on target but a big deflection takes the ball wide of Thibaut Courtois, who is wrongfooted, and it finishes in the back of the net.
Pachuca have their goal, can they score again?
Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca
75 mins: Real sweep forward through Vinicius yet again. The winger is so quick and sharp that the Pachuca defenders are having a tough time.
He lifts the ball back across the box where Valverde brings it down and rolls it to Brahim Diaz.
Diaz shoots but Moreno blocks his effort at the near post.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca (Federico Valverde, 70′)
Game over!
This is a quality goal. Real Madrid are playing with 10-men remember.
They sweep down the left with a threaded pass out to Vinicius Jr.
He slips the ball inside to Federico Valverde who plays it out to Brahim Diaz.
Diaz flicks the ball into the box where Valverde continues his run and pokes the dropping ball into the back of the net!
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
69 mins: Luka Modric finds himself crowded out as he attempts to get into the box from the left side.
At the other end of the pitch, Pachuca substitute Lopez shoots and worries Courtois. He drops low to the right this time and tips the ball wide of the furthest post.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
66 mins: The onlooking supporters have started a Mexican wave as Pachuca drive forward on the left.
A cross comes over to the far side of the box but Madrid recover the ball and attempt to counter attack.
Brahim Diaz receives the ball and spins but he’s fouled and the Spaniards have themselves a free kick.