Not a player missing almost the entire game (Raul Asensio was sent off in the 7th minute), not even 33 degrees in the shade at the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte - nothing prevented Real from defeating Mexican Pachuca, and Xabi Alonso from recording his first triumph on the bench of the world's biggest club.
It ended 3:1 - much, much easier than it seemed at the very beginning of the match, when Asensio brought down his rival as the last man in defense and earned a direct red card.
Real now took a ten-man lead in the 35th minute when Jude Bellingham made a brilliant run from the back and hit the crossbar with his weaker foot, his left.
Eight minutes later, another fantastic move by Madrid - an assist from Gonzalez Garcia and a goal by Arda Turan with his weaker, right foot.
And that wasn't enough for the Mexicans, who were powerless with one more player, so Fede Valverde scored their third goal in the 70th minute - 3:0.
Elias Montiel made it 3:1 in the 80th minute.
In Group H, Real Madrid leads with four points, Salzburg has three, Al Hilal has one (both teams have a game in hand - they play at midnight), and Pachuca has no points. The two best-placed teams from the group will advance to the round of 16.
Bonus video:
