Alonso earns first Real Madrid win
Xabi Alonso earned his first win as Real Madrid manager as his team overcame Raul Asencio's early red card to beat Pachuca 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Monday.
Asencio was dismissed in the seventh minute after a last-man foul on Salomon Rondon, but Madrid's individual attacking quality got them back on track in the tournament.
Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde moved Los Blancos into top spot in Group H ahead of Al-Hilal's meeting with Red Bull Salzburg.
Pachuca started strongly and a ball over the top caught Asencio napping, allowing Rondon to steal in before he was brought down by the defender, resulting in his sending off.
Alonso then had Thibaut Courtois to thank after the Madrid goalkeeper pulled off two stunning saves in quick succession to deny Rondon and Alan Bautista.
But Madrid hit the front in the 35th minute when Fran Garcia's pass was collected by Bellingham, who drove into the box before firing a left-footed effort past Carlos Moreno.
Guler then doubled his side's tally two minutes before the break, tucking the ball into the bottom-left corner to round off a fine move that involved Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Not deterred by going two goals down, Pachuca pushed their opponents all the way, with Bryan Gonzalez seeing his effort brilliantly tipped over by Courtois after the break.
But Madrid captain Valverde put the result beyond doubt 20 minutes from time, sliding in to poke substitute Brahim Diaz's inviting cross into the net from close range.
Elias Montiel netted a late consolation for the Mexican side, with the midfielder's strike from distance deflecting off Aurelien Tchouameni and wrong-footing Courtois.
Madrid were able to comfortably see out the win and will now prepare for their final group game next week, when they take on Salzburg at Lincoln Financial Field.
