Ten-man Real Madrid produced an impressive 3-1 victory over C.F. Pachuca in a FIFA Club World Cup Group H match held at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.
Madrid were reduced to ten men just seven minutes into the game after defender Raúl Asencio was shown a straight red card for pulling down Pachuca forward Salomón Rondón, who was through on goal near the edge of the penalty area.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Spanish giants stamped their authority on the match, opening the scoring through Jude Bellingham in the 35th minute. Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 43rd minute, before Federico Valverde sealed the win with a well-taken volley in the 70th minute, following a precise pass from Brahim Díaz.
Pachuca managed a consolation goal in the 80th minute through Elías Montiel, who struck from distance with a clever finish.
While the match offered moments of fine football in front of a packed crowd, it was overshadowed by allegations of racism involving Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral late in the game.
According to reports, after a clash during a corner kick, Rüdiger confronted Cabral in visible distress and informed referee Ramón Abatti that he had been racially insulted. The referee responded by crossing his arms in front of his chest—activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, which briefly halted play.
Rüdiger claimed that Cabral used the phrase “negro de mierda”—a deeply offensive racial slur. Cabral, however, denied the accusation, stating that he used the Argentine insult “cagón de mierda” (roughly translated as “f—ing coward”), and insisted his words were misunderstood.
In his post-match remarks, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso condemned the incident and called for swift investigation and action.
> “Toni told us something, the FIFA protocol has been activated, and it’s being investigated. We believe him. It’s unacceptable… If it happened, measures must be taken. In football, there is no tolerance,” Alonso stated.
Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano defended his captain, saying:
“I can put my hand in the fire for Cabral… I hadn’t heard of anything like this.”
The result sees Pachuca eliminated from the competition after two losses, while Real Madrid move joint top of the group with four points.
