Real Madrid secured their first win of the Club World Cup to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive when they defeated Pachuca 3-1 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Spaniards got off to the worst possible start when Raul Asencio brought down Salomon Rondon as the last man and was shown a straight red card just six minutes into the game.
Pachuca then dominated as Real lacked mojo and rhythm through the opening half an hour. Things changed when Jude Bellingham made a run from midfield and guided home the opener in the first half.
Arda Guler, brought into the starting XI for this match, netted a second in a similar move as Real went into the break two goals up.
Federico Valverde’s second-half volley added a third to put the icing on the cake and Elias Montiel’s consolation goal wasn’t enough to spark a comeback from the Mexican side who now exit the competition in the group stages after two defeats from two.
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Real Madrid vs Pachuca live
- Real Madrid defeat Pachuca 3-1 in the Club World Cup group stages
- 80' GOAL! Montiel pulls one back for Pachuca (RAM 3-1 PAC)
- 70' GOAL! Valverde add decisive third goal (RMA 3-0 PAC)
- 43' GOAL! Guler doubles lead with fine finish (RMA 2-0 PAC)
- 35' GOAL! Bellingham slides Madrid into the lead (RMA 1-0 PAC)
- 18' SAVE! Courtois' double save keeps Madrid on level terms (RMA 0-0 PAC)
- 6' RED CARD! Asencio sent off for challenge on Rondon (RMA 0-0 PAC)
Full-time! Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
22:03 , Mike Jones90+6 mins: There goes the full time whistle.
Real Madrid secure their first win of the campaign as Pachuca are knocked out of the competiton.
Raul Asencio’s red card didn’t matter in the end as Real Madrid were superb throughout.
They scored three goals before the Mexican side earned a consolation and that keeps them in the hunt to secure a place in the next round.
Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
21:54 , Mike Jones90+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
21:54 , Mike Jones89 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
21:50 , Mike Jones86 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
21:46 , Mike Jones83 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')
21:44 , Mike JonesIs 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
21:39 , Mike Jones75 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')
21:35 , Mike JonesGame 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
21:32 , Mike Jones69 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
21:29 , Mike Jones66 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.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:25 , Mike Jones63 mins: Save! Kenedy comes forward again and drives a fine shot at goal from a yard or two outside of the box.
Courtois drops to his left and pushes it wide again.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper is having some game here.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:24 , Mike Jones60 mins: The two Real Madrid goalscorers, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, are taken off on the hour mark in Charlotte.
In their place come Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric who also takes up the armband.
Modric receives a loud, loud cheer when he is introduced.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:19 , Mike Jones54 mins: Hello!
Bryan Gonzalez gets some space on the left wing. The defender bombs forward and miscues a cross which turns into a fine effort.
The looping shot looks to be dropping underneath the crossbar but Courtois is there to slap the ball wide.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:15 , Mike Jones51 mins: A long ball comes over to Rondon who makes another fine run down the middle.
He’s forced wide and decides to hold up the ball. A pass back into the middle is intercepted by Bellingham who is fouled and wins a free kick.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:11 , Mike Jones48 mins: Real Madrid have made a change with Brahim Diaz brought on to replace Gonzalo Garcia.
The only thing that’s needed for Madrid is for them to bide their time and wait to score a third goal.
That will be enough to win them the game.
Second half! Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
21:09 , Mike JonesAs things stand Pachuca will be knocked out of the Club World Cup if the score remains the same.
Real Madrid will continue to add pressure to the Mexican side who have to come out and attack.
The next goal will be crucial, can Pachuca get it?
They kick off the second half...
HT Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
20:58 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
20:51 , Mike Jones45+4 mins: Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham have given Real Madrid a two-goal lead at the half-time break despite the Spanish giants going down to 10-men.
It took a while for them to click but Real look very dangerous now.
Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca
20:47 , Mike Jones45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at the end of this half.
Madrid have a good cushion and should be able to manage the game from here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca (Arda Guler, 43')
20:45 , Mike JonesAnother one!
Real Madrid are comfortable now. A switch of play comes out to Trent Alexander-Arnold who squares a pass into the box form Gonzalo Garcia.
A one touch pass places the ball into the path of Arda Guler who sets him then drills his effort into the far bottom corner!
Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca
20:43 , Mike Jones42 mins: Save!
Kenedy skips clear of Federico Valverde and unloads on a shot from just outside the box.
The effort is s good one but once again Pachuca are denied by the sheer class of Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca
20:42 , Mike Jones41 mins: Madrid have their confidence back and there’s more tempo to their play.
Xabi Alonso tells his players to calm things down and control play.
Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca
20:41 , Mike Jones38 mins: It’s wild what a goal can do.
All of a sudden Real Madrid have come alive and are probing the Pachuca back line with regularity.
Vinicius Jr goes on a run. He’s got two men up with him but decides to go alone and runs out of space to operate.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca (Jude Bellingham, 35')
20:37 , Mike JonesWow!
Out of nowhere, Real Madrid have the lead. Elias Montiel takes a shot that Courtois keeps out and Madrid sweep quickly down the left.
Guler slides the ball into the box as Jude Bellingham arrives.
He taps the ball forward then guides a superb strike into the bottom right corner!
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:33 , Mike Jones30 mins: Real Madrid quickly sweep forward and perhaps create their best chance of the half.
Arda Guler receives the ball from Bellingham and decides to shoot from the left edge of the box.
He hits it well enough but pulls the effort off to the left side of the nearest post.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:28 , Mike Jones27 mins: At the other end of the pitch, Jude Bellingham potential gives up a penalty.
The referee says no on the pitch and the VAR confirms that decision.
Pachuca look the more dangerous team at present.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:27 , Mike Jones24 mins: Madrid have a corner that Alexander-Arnold stands over.
This could be a sign that he’ll be the set piece taker for the upcoming season.
He swings the ball into the box and lifts it to the far side where Carlos Moreno plucks it out of the air.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:22 , Mike Jones21 mins: Rondon is causing some serious trouble for the Real backline.
It’s too high and with Tchouameni now subbing in for Asencio there’s a vulnerability there.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:20 , Mike Jones18 mins: SAVE!
Incredible scenes from Thibaut Courtois.
Another long ball comes up to Rondon who spins in behind before laying the ball off to Robert Kenedy.
He drills a shot at goal but sees Courtois palm the ball back into the middle of the box.
It falls to Alan Bautista who snatches at a quick shot of his own only for Courtois to leap to his right and push this one away too!
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:17 , Mike Jones15 mins: A long free kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold is looped into the penalty area and drops right into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Real are still trying to gel. They want to dominate possession but that will be tough with 10-men.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:16 , Mike Jones13 mins: This Madrid side is pretty young and as such more liable to make mistakes.
Bellingham wins the ball back and lays it off to Fran Garcia.
He attempts to play Arda Guler in behind the defence but ends up giving the ball away.
Pachuca knock it back to Moreno who is closed down by Vinicius and looks fraught once more on the ball.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:13 , Mike Jones10 mins: Madrid are down to 10-men and Aurelien Tchouameni has dropped back to play as a centre-back after Raul Asencio was dismissed.
Can the Spanish side muster up a shock win from this position?
RED CARD! Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:09 , Mike Jones6 mins: Pachuca have settled into a better rhythm through these opening few minutes.
Real Madrid are yet to click under Xabi Alonso’s management and are letting their opponents play on the ball.
Madrid are playing with a high line and Pachuca attack it with a long ball.
Raul Asencio races with Salomon Rondon and clips the striker who goes down just outside the box.
The referee comes across and pulls out a straight red card!
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:05 , Mike Jones4 mins: Close! Pachuca win themselves a corner which is floated into the middle of the box.
Salomon Rondon breaks off his marker then whips a shot at goal on the volley.
The effort takes a deflection and the ball goes out for a corner.
The second set piece is dealt with better this time by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Gonzalo Garcia charges down goalkeeper Carlos Moreno who just about manages to get the ball clear.
Real win it high up the pitch and Jude Bellingham slips a threaded pass into the box where Vinicius Jr attempts to orchestrate a chance.
He’s tackled though and the Mexican club clear their lines.
Kick off! Real Madrid 0-0 Pachuca
20:02 , Mike JonesReal Madrid get the ball rolling for this Group H encounter.
There are a lot of Real Madrid supporters in the crowd but it is far from a sell out again.
Real knock the ball around the back line before driving down the left wing and losing possession.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca
19:54 , Mike JonesThe players make their way out onto the pitch ahead of kick off for this must-win clash.
Real Madrid’s opening draw with Al-Hilal means that anything but a win tonight would leave them vulnerable to an early group exit.
Can Madrid get the job done in North Carolina tonight?
Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts to ‘incredible’ Real Madrid debut: ‘What every player dreams of’
19:50 , Will CastleTrent Alexander-Arnold has hailed his Real Madrid debut as something “almost every player dreams of” despite a frustrating first outing against Al-Hilal.
Following his arrival from Liverpool at the beginning of June, Alexander-Arnold’s bow in Real colours lasted 65 minutes as he struggled up against the challenge of live wire Salem Al-Dawsari.
Trent reacts to ‘incredible’ Real Madrid debut: ‘What every player dreams of’
Real Madrid issue health update after Kylian Mbappe hospitalised at Club World Cup
19:40 , Lawrence OstlereKylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital in the United States after a bout of gastroenteritis.
The 26-year-old France international missed Wednesday night’s 1-1 Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal through illness, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever.
Madrid issue update after Kylian Mbappe hospitalised at Club World Cup
Club World Cup 2025: How to watch every match on TV and online
19:30 , Mike JonesThe 2025 Club World Cup is underway as the world’s top clubs meet in the USA to contest the first edition of the newly formatted competition.
European giants including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Champions League winners PSG are set to battle for the new trophy, with Fifa also putting aside almost £100m in prize money for the winners.
Club World Cup 2025: How to watch every match on TV and online
John Stones speaks out on his Man City future with clear statement
19:20 , Richard JollyJohn Stones has insisted he wants to stay at Manchester City and hopes to “shut down” any suggestions he will leave this summer.
Manager Pep Guardiola said he wants to trim his squad, which he described as “too long”, and now has seven centre-backs after the January signings of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov. And Stones, 31, is about to enter the last year of his contract, having only started six Premier League games in an injury-hit campaign.
John Stones speaks out on his Man City future with clear statement
Rodri impressing fellow Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as he ramps up fitness
19:10 , Mike JonesNico Gonzalez believes Rodri is getting back to his best level after continuing his comeback at the Club World Cup.
Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri missed most of Manchester City’s 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury last September.
Rodri impressing fellow Man City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as he ramps up fitness
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would consider managing in South America
19:00 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola has said he would be happy to manage a team in South America.
The Manchester City boss is revelling in the multi-cultural atmosphere at the Club World Cup and admits the football in countries such as Brazil and Argentina holds huge appeal.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would consider managing in South America
Enzo Maresca gives blunt response to Nicolas Jackson red card
18:50 , Flo CliffordEnzo Maresca was tight-lipped after a red card for substitute Nicolas Jackson essentially killed off any chances Chelsea had of rescuing a result against Flamengo.
The striker endured a miserable 24th birthday as he was sent off in the Club World Cup just four minutes after coming on.
Enzo Maresca gives blunt response to Nicolas Jackson red card
The six-minute implosion which led Chelsea to defeat at Club World Cup
18:40 , Mike JonesNicolas Jackson was sent off as Chelsea crashed to a 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup.
Pedro Neto fired the Blues ahead early on but Enzo Maresca’s side imploded in the second half in Philadelphia.
The Blues conceded twice and saw Jackson dismissed for a horror tackle in the space of just six minutes after the break.
The six-minute implosion which led Chelsea to defeat at Club World Cup
Real Madrid line-up
18:33 , Mike JonesReal Madrid XI: Courtois, Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Tchouameni, Guler; Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Gonzalo
📋✅ Our starting XI!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 22, 2025
🆚 @Tuzos pic.twitter.com/idcIQCkhTv
What’s the format?
18:30 , Mike JonesThe top two teams in each group progress to the knockout stage, which begins with a last 16 stage, before quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.
There is no third-place play-off.
Unfancied Botafogo stun Champions League winners PSG at Club World Cup
18:20 , Mike JonesBrazil's Botafogo withstood waves of attacks from Paris Saint-Germain to stun the European champions 1-0 on Thursday and throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open.
PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's resolute defence stood tall in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Unfancied Botafogo stun Champions League winners PSG at Club World Cup
When and where will the Club World Cup be held?
18:10 , Mike JonesThe 2025 Club World Cup takes place in the United States and begins on 15 June with the final on 13 July.
The venues are as follows, with Miami hosting the opening match and the final held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
- TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
- Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina
- Rose Bowl Stadium – Los Angeles, California
- Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, Florida
- GEODIS Park – Nashville, Tennessee
- MetLife Stadium – New Jersey
- Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando, Florida
- Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington
- Audi Field – Washington, DC.
Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal steal thunder from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut
18:00 , Will CastleReal Madrid laboured to a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in their Club World Cup opener as the spirited Saudis stole thunder away from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut.
After a back and forth first half saw the sides enter the break level, Federico Valverde’s 90th-minute penalty miss meant Xabi Alonso did not get off to a dream winning start as Real boss.
Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal steal thunder from Trent’s debut
Lionel Messi offers rare glimpse into relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘We’re not friends’
17:52 , Mike JonesLionel Messi has provided a rare glimpse into his relationship with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo by admitting the two footballing superstars are not friends.
The legendary pair formed a rivalry that defined a generation, becoming two of the most decorated players in history across their respective esteemed careers.
“The competition with him was on the pitch,” he told DSports. “Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything stayed on the field.
“Off the pitch, we are two normal people. We're not friends obviously because we don't spend time together, but we've always treated each other with a lot of respect.”
How to watch the Club World Cup
17:45 , Mike JonesDAZN will be broadcasting each match of the tournament live, from the opener up to and including the final, for free in the UK.
All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices, all they need to do is sign up for the company’s DAZN Freemium service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99.
Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.
The streaming service has hired several footballing legends as part of it’s coverage team, with Ronaldo Nazario, Claude Makelele, Sami Khedira, John Obi Mikel and Christian Vieri among the former players to feature on the punditry line-up, alongside Shay Given and Premier League striker Callum Wilson.
Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and Olivia Buzaglo will act as hosts for the coverage alongside former Football Italia presenter James Richardson.
And Conor McNamara will head the commentary team, with former Premier League players Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green and Danny Higginbotham among the notable co-commentators.
When and where is Real Madrid v Pachuca?
17:37 , Mike JonesReal Madrid face Pachuca at 3pm ET in Charlotte today, Sunday 22 June. That is 8pm BST.
The match will take place at the Bank of America Stadium, which is the home of NFL side Carolina Panthers and Dean Smith-managed MSL team Charlotte FC.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca
17:30 , Mike JonesReal Madrid face Pachuca at the Club World Cup after drawing to Al Hilal on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut for the club.
The Spanish giants drew 1-1 to the Saudi Arabian outfit after Ruben Neves’ penalty pegged back Gonzalo Garcia’s opener, with Federico Valverde having a late spot-kick saved.
The clash was also Xabi Alonso’s first in charge after moving from Bayer Leverkusen, and included a list of Los Blancos’ top stars such as Jude Bellingham and Vinicius alongside new Premier League recruit Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.
Mexico’s Pachuca, winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2024, lost 2-1 to Red Bull Salzburg in their tournament opener.
Good evening!
15:45 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Club World Cup action as Real Madrid take on Pachuca in the group stages.
Madrid drew their opening match 1-1 against Al-Hilal and must win tonight if they hope to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut in the previous game and will hope to impress tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and latest updates so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
