Real Madrid's 3-1 win over CF Pachuca brings the club's fans joy and concerns as the team gets closer to the knockout stages. Xabi Alonso's team started poorly as Raul Asencio received a straight red card, leaving questions about the young defender.
7' RED CARD ALERT!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Asencio takes down Rondon and is given a straight red card!
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This is the second game in a row where the Spanish defender made crucial mistakes in the game that could've hindered the result for Real Madrid.
Asencio committed a penalty in the last game against Al Hilal, which allowed the Saudi Arabian club to tie the game. Al Hilal's Ruben Neves scored from the spot, and that game finished 1-1.
Despite the 3-1 win against Pachuca and finishing with four points after two group stage matches, Xabi Alonso's post-match interview showcases his focus on improving the smallest details to prepare for the upcoming season.
After the game, many fans wanted to know Alonso's thoughts on Asencio's early red card that left Real Madrid with 10 men for almost the entire game.
Alonso was impressed with his team's adaptability to play with one man short, but he pointed out his disappointment in the incident with Asencio early in the game.
Xabi Alonso: "Raul Asencio shouldn't have made the foul and conceded the red card, but we will talk with him. Early in the game you need to take a chance, not make a foul for the red card. We will talk. He is still young and this is an experience to think about for the future."
Alonso mentioned that it was stressful playing with 10 men throughout the match, but was impressed with the team's performance.
In the 7th minute, Raul Asencio received a straight red card for pulling back Solomon Rondon, who was clear on goal. Asencio was the last defender, and after bringing down the Venezuelan striker, Real Madrid were left with ten men.
Pachuca got closer to scoring the game's first goal, but Thibaut Courtois made four saves in the first half to keep Los Blancos in the game.
In the 35th minute, Jude Bellingham scored the opener with a drilled shot in the box past Carlos Moreno. Fran Garcia provided the assist after receiving a great pass from Gonzalo Garcia.
Every angle. Every touch.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 22, 2025
Jude Bellingham’s finish, exactly how it deserves to be seen. ⚽
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The 21-year-old striker had an assist of his own just before halftime as he played Arda Guler in the box. The Turkish star slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give Real Madrid the 2-0 lead.
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!
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Despite Pachuca getting close to scoring, Courtois continued to make saves. He ended up with ten saves after the full-time whistle.
Captain Federico Valverde scored the third in the 70th minute, and Pachuca midfielder Elias Montiel managed to bring a goal back for the Mexican side.
Real Madrid plays RB Salzburg on Thursday at the Lincoln Financial Field. This is the team's last group stage match. A win secures a place in the knockouts.
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