[**Real Madrid**](https://www.managingmadrid.com/) **3-1 Pachuca** _(Bellingham, Güler & Valverde). A first win of the tournament._ Here is my immediate reaction to the victory. More on the way: Player ratings, interviews and post game podcast.
The first game may have been a disappointment, but Real Madrid had the chance to make up for it against Mexican side Pachuca for game two. Man of the match Gonzalo García continued to start, joined by Arda Güler behind him. Fede Valverde captained the team.
Pachuca started well, and things looked like they might turn sour as Raúl Asencio was on hand to exhibit his reckless immaturity once more - receiving a perhaps soft but certainly silly red card for raising his hands on the last man. This was the event Madrid needed to switch on however, as they impressed here on out. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for Real Madrid, before Arda Güler netted the second via a superb Gonzalo García assist. The Castilla man should expect a full time promotion after these first two performances. Half time: 2-0 to Real Madrid.
> Gonzalo should and will be a first-team player this upcoming season. Impressive stuff from him.
>
> — Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) [June 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/LucasNavarreteM/status/1936875041381032190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
The second half was largely a continuation of the good work from the first. Madrid looked sharp, and Vinícius Júnior - the man who dropped probably the worst performance of his career in the last game - looked untouchable today. Xabi Alonso would make some changes during the break, and throughout the second period, which changed the dynamics slightly. Madrid did make it three though, when Fede Valverde made a smart run to poke the ball home. Dean Huijsen made the back-line his own, helping to make the numerical disadvantage seem non-existent - and even starting to play-make and pick out passes with the ball. Thibaut Courtois was also on hand time and time again to keep the scoreline comfortable, and may have done enough to which the man or the match award. Pachuca managed to pull one back via a deflection, but it wasn’t enough to produce a late comeback and the game ended 3-1 to Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso has officially landed. Up next: Red Bull Salzburg. Happy with that?