In their second Club World Cup outing, ten-man Real Madrid battled through the heat in Charlotte against Pachuca - picking up their first win under Xabi Alonso with a 3-1 victory.
Here are three takeaways from the victory.
1. Dean Huijsen is legit
If Florentino Perez were to call up Bournemouth tomorrow and send another €50 Million for Dean Huijsen, absolutely nobody should bat an eye-lid. In his second game for Los Blancos, the Spanish international followed up his dominant debut performance with a solid sequel.
Considering Real were down to ten-men following the very early dismissal of Raul Asencio, the former Bournemouth defender handled the occasion with ease - dominating the Pachuca attackers in every duel, whether it was on the ground or in the air.
Alongside that, he showcased his silky on-the-ball ability, leading the team for overall passes at 75 played with a completion rate of 93%. Furthering on that, he was consistently looking to progress - fielding 11 of those into the final third, with one of those being a key part in Real's 3rd goal.
If performances carry on like this from the 20-year-old, Xabi Alonso may be spending the next few weeks asking himself the question of who is partnering Huijsen in the back-line, with the youngster surely making his case as an undisputed starter for Alonso.
2. Gonzalo Garcia has become an unexpected solution
So far through the course of this summer, there has been plenty of murmurings for Real Madrid's need for another striker option. With Endrick injured and still not quite developing in the way many would have liked and Mbappé still out, Castilla's serial scoring Gonzalo Garcia has stepped up and seized the opportunity.
Across his two games at the Club World Cup, he has contributed effectively with a goal in the opener and an assist against Pachuca. Beyond his productivity however, is his effectiveness on the field - his decision making, link-up and executions have been brilliant.
Given the continued shouts for Real to replace the output of Joselu, Garcia certainly brings that true '9' element to the team in his approach and skillset. Should he remain with the senior set-up through the course of 25/26, Los Blancos could be set to add a very solid option to their squad if his early performances are anything to go by.
3. Is this the end of Rodrygo?
Throughout the summer so far, the uncertainty of Rodrygo's future at Real Madrid has continued to dominate headlines and discussions across the footballing world. With Xabi Alonso joining the club, there were suggestions of a discussion between the player and manager - however, if the game against Pachuca was any indication, the answer may be clearer than ever.
The Brazilian being stunted by playing on the right side has been no secret, it always seemed a question of when and not if that we would arrive at this point. However, it feels as if Alonso's arrival isn't the only determining factor on his future.
With the Spanish coach certainly keen to utilise and develop Arda Guler, who has more than stepped up through the Club World Cup so far, and with the pending arrival of Franco Mastantuono - it feels as if the Brazilian's place in the pecking order is well and truly compromised more than ever.
In the match against Pachuca, Rodrygo was left on the sidelines for the entirety of the game - with Guler getting the start and Alonso preferring to rely on Brahim Diaz and even Victor Munoz ahead of the Brazil international.
There is a sense of inevitability, a point of when and not if Rodrygo will depart the Bernabeu this summer. Whilst he has certainly contributed to some huge moments in recent years and despite being a player of world class ability - it feels like a split makes sense at this point for both parties.