The royals of Real Madrid return to the Queen City

FIFA

Real Madrid, one of the most recognizable soccer clubs on the planet and winner of five FIFA Club World Cup titles, take on LaLiga MX side Pachuca Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

Arguably the most popular team in the global soccer megaverse, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol returns to Charlotte for the second time in two years. 
It makes sense, truly, that the club with “royal” in its name be at home in the Queen City. 

Last August, it was a pre-season tune-up against Chelsea at the end of another American tour with nothing on the line beside preparation for the La Liga and Champions League seasons that concluded at the end of May. This time, they come in with no real break from the competitive mindset, as there’s a legitimate trophy and honors to be had in the reimagined FIFA Club World Cup.

There’s no soft start for new manager Xabi Alonso, the accomplished and decorated Spanish midfielder turned coach who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the conclusion of the La Liga campaign. Ancelotti has moved on to lead Brazil towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Alonso is tasked with putting Los Blancos back on top of the club hierarchy after a season where second in the league is not good enough. 

There were 62,617 fans at Bank of America Stadium on that midsummer evening. There could be just as many, or more, in the building on Sunday, given the magnetism of Madrid and the evergreen popularity of Mexican teams, Pachuca in this case, when playing in the U.S. Kickoff is 3 p.m. and the game will be televised on TNT/truTV, DAZN USA, and TUDN/Univision.

The two clubs met last December in another match that mattered, the Intercontinental Cup final, a 3-0 win for the Spanish side. Goals were scored by Kyllian Mbappé (37th minute), Rodrygo (53rd), and Vinícius Júnior (84th, penalty kick). While Madrid expectedly dominated possession (65%), the stats were fairly even otherwise, with both teams registering 12 shots, 5-4 on target for Real. Madrid earned six corner kicks to five for Pachuca.

This will be the second match for both teams in Group H, which is currently led by FC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga with three points after beating Pachuca 2-1 on Wednesday in Cincinnati in front of 5,282 fans. In one of the first shock results of this tournament, Real was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi club Al Hilal, giving them one point apiece. 

Real Madrid, winner of five Club World Cups, went ahead on a Gonzalo Garcia goal in the 34th minute, only to concede a penalty kick on a Raul Asencio foul, scored by Ruben Neves, seven minutes later. Hilal scored in the 19th minute but was ruled offside. Real had two good chances to regain the lead as the clock waned, most importantly a penalty kick of their own in the last minute of regulation play. Hilal’s Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou capped his strong performance with a dive to his right to save Federico Valverde’s low kick.

Questionable for the match will be Real striker Mbappe, who was briefly hospitalized for gastroenteritis and missed game one. That only added to the M*A*S*H list that already had Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and 18-year-old Endrick ruled out for the tournament. 

Still, with names like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Vinicius Junior, and newcomer Trent Alexander-Arnold on the start sheet, and Luka Modric on the bench, Real has the talent and quality to win their sixth Club World Cup title.

Mexico’s oldest club (founded in 1892), Pachuca also has a new coach with former Mexican national team player and manager Jaime Lozano appointed at the end of May. He led his country to the 2023 Gold Cup title but was dismissed after a disappointing Copa America last summer. Like Alonso, he has had little time to install his vision for Pachuca.

The loss in game one left Pachuca in last place. A loss will eliminate their chance to move on, so expect a team that will be hard to break down. The Tuzos (gophers) will have to dig deep in this one. 

A common opponent for both teams and everyone else in the stadium will be the heat – a high of 92 degrees on Sunday – and humidity that is blanketing Charlotte and much of the U.S. as summer begins. The midday start maximizes the threat, so proper hydration and seeking shade when necessary will be critical.

Comments