CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Jude Bellingham praised Xabi Alonso’s “wonderful concepts” after Real Madrid overcame an early pink card to beat Pachuca 3-1 within the Membership World Cup on Sunday, whereas confirming that he’ll endure shoulder surgical procedure when the match is over.
The win was Alonso’s first since taking up at Madrid earlier than the Membership World Cup after his staff drew 1-1 with Al Hilal in its opener.
Madrid defender Raúl Asencio was despatched off within the seventh minute at Financial institution of America Stadium for fouling Pachuca ahead Salomón Rondón.
Ten-man Madrid quickly responded with targets from Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler, earlier than Federico Valverde added a 3rd, and Elias Montiel responded for Pachuca with the one shot that acquired previous Thibaut Courtois, who made 10 saves
“It was powerful after Asencio was despatched off,” Bellingham mentioned in his post-match information convention, after being chosen as the sport’s MVP. “He is a younger defender, it occurs, there is no hurt in that. It was a take a look at of our character, and a take a look at of our management.
“The supervisor [Alonso] determined to alter form, and all of us took that duty effectively. We needed to climate the storm, [Pachuca] had lots of photographs. Thibaut was unbelievable. It is a good win, nonetheless not excellent, however the coaches’ concepts are wonderful, and we wish to preserve going.”
Courtois was extra essential of Asencio, who additionally gave away a penalty in Madrid’s opening sport in opposition to Al Hilal.
“Two video games, and the identical mistake,” Courtois mentioned. “We have now to be extra clever.”
Midfielder Bellingham — who has struggled with a shoulder harm since November 2023, carrying protecting strapping — confirmed that he’ll endure surgical procedure when Madrid’s participation within the match is over.
“It is alright now, I’ve acquired to the purpose the place the ache is not so dangerous,” Bellingham mentioned. “I’ve acquired surgical procedure scheduled for a number of days after the match, after the ultimate. I am joyful about that.
“It has been a very long time coming. I’ve come to the tip of my persistence with the brace. The medical doctors and employees have been nice, however I am on the level now the place I am able to have a free shoulder.”
The consequence leaves Madrid on 4 factors in Group H, and in a powerful place to progress to the spherical of 16 forward of Thursday’s sport with Salzburg.
Moments earlier than the ultimate whistle in Charlotte, referee Ramon Abatti signalled that FIFA’s anti-racism protocol had been initiated after a conflict between Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral.
“The FIFA protocol was activated. We’ll discover out what occurred,” Alonso mentioned in his post-match information convention. “Rudiger mentioned [that he’d been insulted] and we consider him. There isn’t any tolerance for it, it should not occur.
“[FIFA] are investigating it.”
Talking within the combined zone, Cabral denied having used racist language.
“There was nothing racist. I known as him ‘chickens–t’ as we are saying in Argentina, that is it,” he mentioned.
Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano mentioned he was unaware of the accusation.
“I’ve simply came upon now,” Lozano mentioned. “We’ve not spoken about it. What I can say is that we have by no means had something like that with Cabral.”