There was a moment in the 28th minute, here in the stifling heat of North Carolina, when Jude Bellingham absolutely lost it to Arda Guler for losing the ball.
With Real Madrid to ten men against Pachuca after the early broadcast of Raul Asencio, they stood under the Cosh against the Mexican side, with a certain Salomon Rondon that caused all kinds of problems and started cooking the frustrations.
It was a stunning watch because the side of Xabi Alonso was not completely synchronized and looked lost against one side that ended eighth in the Mexican league last season.
Most of the first half hour the 20-year-old Guler was at the back of Bellingham's anger and yet Madrid were two goals in the break thanks to Bellingham and Guler, in which Trent Alexander-Arnold also played an important role in Guler's goal.
For Alonso it was an early indicator of the personalities that he will have to manage here, but also a broad memory of the devastating quality that his players possess.
Alonso does not have to tell what is needed to succeed at Real Madrid. The 43-year-old played for the club between 2009 and 2014 and knows first-hand about the weight of expectations and the influence that certain people can have for Los Blancos.
In his early days here he will also know how he deals with Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius JR, among others, will inevitably be integral to his own success.
On the eve of this collision, Alonso Guler praised and said: 'He is one of those players who have to be close to the ball. He is a player who is special, because the more touches he has, the better he will play and the better the team plays. '
Guler is, just like Bellingham, a wonderful talent and Alonso, who wants to increase his Gametime, will know that he is flourishing the best from the Turkish international.
As far as Trent Alexander-Arnold is concerned, this was an insured representation, both in defense and in attack when the full-back regularly came to the middle of the field and was heavily involved in the ball.
“He did it in Liverpool and in the national team. He is another full-back, not just from the outer row. He can go in and associate a bit. What happens is important. We have to work on it, but having his foot and his understanding of the game is very positive, “Alonso said before the game.
His bustling ball over the goal in the run-up to Guler's goal will do wonders for his confidence after a shaky start of life against Al-Hilal and all, he showed a glimpse of his class with the way he dripped out of the back and holding his own defensive. When he was replaced in the 78th minute, the applause and the smile summarized.
Charlotte was a sea of ​​White on Sunday, with Madrid fans wherever you went. They had traveled from the entire United States and beyond to catch a rare glimpse of their stars.
On the resale market, tickets went for around $ 300 and the gamblers in line for hours in the sizzling heat. They waited, knowing what was on the other side.
It is of course early doors, but Alonso will also hope for a part of that patience.
After two non-conscious displays against Al-Hilal and Pachuca, albeit in extremely difficult circumstances, there is very little of the Rock and Roll that Alonso has spoken about.
In honesty, this is a side that has a desperate need for a few weeks off. For context, Jude Bellingham was here in his 61st game of the never-ending season 2024-25, while Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy were all off besides others.
When the players did their individual entrances ten minutes before the kick -off, the players of Madrid were ridiculed to keep their coats.
They started as if they also played with coats, with Rondon initially too hot to handle while he shot wide in the half volley from a corner.
In the seventh minute, Dean Huijsen played Rondon Onnide and Raul Asencio was sent away after he had pulled the 35-year-old just outside the box.
Agustin Palavecino fired the resulting free kick wide, but Pachuca should have taken the lead shortly thereafter, with Thibaut Courtois Madrid saving with a nice double save.
Firstly, Kenedy's efforts were parried before Courtois de Rebound from Alan Bautista kept out.
Madrid was everywhere everywhere, but the cooling break around half an hour seemed to be the turning point when Alonso collected his troops.
Bellingham combined with Fran Garcia to lead Madrid with a beautiful left-foot finish before Alexander-Arnold Teed Gonzalo Garcia, who set up generously for the second of Madrid.
Federico Valverde added a third in the 70th minute, but there was time for Elias Montiel to retire for Pachuca, with ten minutes to go.
It was the least that they deserved when they spent the goal of Thibaut Courtois, with 25 shots and 11 on goal, but missed that clinical lead. For Alonso it was a first victory as Madrid -Baas, but again, a performance that let more questions than answer.