
Topics: Real Madrid, FIFA Club World Cup, Football, Xabi Alonso, Fan Reactions
Topics: Real Madrid, FIFA Club World Cup, Football, Xabi Alonso, Fan Reactions
Real Madrid defeated Pachuca 3-1 to register their first win of the 2025 Club World Cup - but fans have been left less than impressed with one player.
Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde secured the three points for Xabi Alonso's side, who go top of Group H.
Los Blancos bounced back from their disappointing 1-1 draw with Al Hilal on Thursday, which saw Valverde miss a penalty in second half stoppage time.
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All three goals against Pachuca came from excellent team moves, with the victory secured despite Real playing with 10 players for the majority of the match.
On seven minutes, former Everton, Newcastle and West Brom striker Salomon Rondon was played through on goal before being brought down by Raul Asencio.
The young centre-back was shown a straight red card for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, having made no attempt to win the ball.
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Asencio has started both Club World Cup matches alongside new signing Dean Huijsen in central defence, with Antonio Rudiger still returning to full fitness.
He gave away a penalty against Al Hilal for a similar foul as against Pachuca, with the Spaniard pulling down Marcos Leonardo in the area.
And Real fans are not happy with the centre-back.
One wrote: "People can stop pretending Asencio is anything more than a fourth choice CB at best."
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A second said: "Asencio doesn't seem to have the intelligence and composure to be a long-term starter option for Real Madrid."
A third added: "Asencio's time in the Xabi Alonso era is over."
While a fourth stated: "Asencio really needs to calm down, you can't keep committing like that."
The player disadvantage led to Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois having to make a total of 10 saves, earning him the Player of the Match award.
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Real conclude their group stage campaign against RB Salzburg knowing that a point will be enough to secure progression to the last 16 of the Club World Cup.