Real Madrid sit on top of their group in the FIFA Club World Cup and their recent win over Pachuca had a big part to play in helping them reach the favourable position.
After all, they dropped points against Al-Hilal on match-day 1.
The story, however, could well have been drastically different had they lost to the Mexican side and it did not seem a distant possibility after Raul Asencio saw an early red card on the night.
The tournament has been a torrid one for the academy defender who conceded a penalty in the opening game and then went on to have himself sent off in the best game. Needless to say, he is living one of his lowest moments as a Real Madrid player.
Taking to his social media after Real Madrid’s win over Pachuca and the backlash around his performance, the young defender put out a genuine apology for his level and insisted that he will come back stronger after his suspension.
"It’s not being the start of the competition I wanted but I have no doubt I’ll turn it around," he wrote.
"It’s time to work even harder to continue growing. Thank you, everyone, for your messages," he added, thanking fans for their support in this difficult moment.
Having seen a red card in the team’s second group-stage matchday, the young defender is set to miss Real Madrid’s game against RB Salzburg in what comes as a massive blow to Xabi Alonso’s plans.
Dean Huijsen is set to start in the department, but the manager faces a tricky question as to who to pair the Spaniard with.
After all, Antonio Rudiger just returned from injury and Asensio is now suspended leaving him with a big decision to take.
As for Asencio, the player will look to make his minutes count once he is available again in the knockout phase.
Given Rudiger’s return and Huijsen’s level, however, it will be anything but easy for him to have regular minutes under Alonso’s command.