Real Madrid entered their Matchday 2 clash against Pachuca looking for their first win at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. But the Spanish giants were dealt a major early setback when defender Raul Asencio was sent off just minutes into the match.
The Spanish side made its tournament debut on Wednesday against Al Hilal. Without Kylian Mbappe on the field, Real Madrid struggled in Xabi Alonso’s first official match as head coach, managing only a 1-1 draw at Hard Rock Stadium. Now, against Pachuca, they faced another early blow.
In the 7th minute, Luis Rodriguez launched a long ball into the box for striker Salomon Rondon to chase. As Rondon broke free on goal, Asencio pulled him down from behind to deny the Venezuelan a clear scoring opportunity. Referee Ramon Abatti had no hesitation, showing the Real Madrid defender a straight red card.
With this, Asencio’s red card is the earliest ever in the entire history of official intercontinental club competitions (in any of their formats), since these tournaments began in July 1960. The previous record was a red card shown to Matheus Pereira (Al-Hilal) in the 14th minute of the third-place match at the 2022 Club World Cup.
Rudiger’s return incoming?
After Asencio was sent off, Alonso made no substitutions but reshuffled his players on the field. Shifting from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-1 formation, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni dropped into central defense alongside Dean Huijsen, while Gonzalo Garcia remained the lone striker up front.
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With Asencio suspended for at least Matchday 3 against RB Salzburg, Real Madrid may turn to Antonio Rudiger to bolster the back line. The German defender underwent surgery in April to repair a partial tear of the lateral meniscus in his left knee, an injury that plagued him throughout the season.
Although Rudiger was named to the squad for the Pachuca match (currently on the subs bench), it will be up to Xabi Alonso to decide whether to risk his return or continue to ease him back for the incoming games of the Club World Cup, as he revealed on Saturday’s press conference.
