Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti holds the tournament trophy as he poses with his players for the group picture at the podium ceremony after the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP)
Lusail: Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior were all on target as reigning European champions Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Pachuca to clinch the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 at Lusail Stadium yesterday.
Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani presented the Golden Ball trophy to Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior
Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani presented the Silver Ball trophy to Real Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde
Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani presented the Bronze Ball trophy to Pachuca’s Mexican midfielder Elias Montiel.
Mbappe, who scored a memorable hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at the same venue two years ago, was cheered by the 67,249 spectators in attendance every time he came into action, reviving memories of that unforgettable final.
Real Madrid's French forward #9 Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Returning from injury after missing La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, the French striker opened the scoring in the 37th minute, firing in from close range after being set up by Vinicius, who had been named FIFA Player of the Year just a day earlier in Doha.
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #7 Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his team's third goal from a penalty kick during the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Mbappe also played role in Real Madrid’s second goal. In the 53rd minute, he assisted Rodrygo, who doubled the lead with a shot from the edge of the box.
The goal was confirmed after a VAR check cleared Jude Bellingham, who was in an offside position but not interfering with Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno’s line of vision, according to the referee. Mbappe was substituted in the 62nd minute, making way for Brahim Diaz.
Real Madrid's players celebrate with their Brazilian forward #11 Rodrygo after he scored their second goal during the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's Pachuca at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Karim Jaafar / AFP)
Vinicius sealed the victory in the 84th minute with a spot kick after Oussama Idrissi was penalised for a foul against Lucas Vazquez, following a VAR review.
For Real Madrid, the victory marked their fourth title of the year, adding the Intercontinental Cup to their UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup trophies.
In addition to the win, Carlo Ancelotti made history, becoming the most successful manager in Real Madrid's history with his 15th title, surpassing the legendary Miguel Munoz, who had won 14 trophies with the club between 1960 and 1974.
The triumph marked Real Madrid’s fourth title of the year, adding the Intercontinental Cup to their UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup trophies.
In addition to the win, Carlo Ancelotti made history by becoming the most successful manager in Real Madrid’s history, with his 15th title, surpassing the legendary Miguel Munoz, who had won 14 trophies with the club from 1960 to 1974.
“There are many (trophies) I’m very happy, it is natural. We did the things we prepared and this made the difference,” said Ancelotti after the win.
“Everyone played a good match, I am very happy. It was a match that in the middle of the season could have caused problems and instead we deservedly won it.”
Rodrygo said, “We are very happy after winning another title. I was a bit anxious with the goal because Jude (Bellingham) was in front of the goalkeeper but he doesn’t interfere with the play, so I’m happy to help the team.”
Yesterday, Real Madrid got off to a slow start while Guillermo Almada’s Pachuca impressed early in the match. In the seventh minute, Luis Rodriguez tested goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a long-range shot that was well saved. Idrissi also had several strong moments on the ball, testing the Los Blancos defence on a couple of occasions.
Real Madrid had their first attempt at goal in the 22nd minute, with Rodrygo trying to convert an assist from Mbappe. However, his shot went wide and was stopped by the goalkeeper.
Pachuca’s Alan Bautista and Salomon Rondon also looked for a breakthrough, but it was Ancelotti’s side who took the lead.
Vinicius set up the opening goal, expertly evading two defenders before passing to Mbappe. The French forward then fired a right-footed shot from close range to put Real Madrid ahead.
The goal lifted Real Madrid and they pushed for a second before the break. However, attempts from Mbappe, Federico Valverde and Bellingham all missed the target.
The second half opened with gripping action as Courtois denied Nelson Deossa’s shot in the 52nd minute, with Pachuca pressing for an equaliser.
However, Real Madrid doubled their lead just a minute late, with Rodrygo finding the top right corner of the net.
Pachuca refused to give up, continuing to mount attacks through Rodriguez, Elias Montiel and Rondon, although none of their efforts found the back of the net.
Vinicius nearly extended Real Madrid’s advantage when he fired a shot from the center of the box after receiving a pass from Valverde, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Luka Modric then replaced Rodrygo in the 70th minute.
Vinicius eventually got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot after Idrissi fouled Vazquez, resulting in a VAR review. Goalkeeper Moreno managed to get a hand to the shot, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the third goal.
Moreno did, however, prevent further damage, making a strong save to block Vinicius’ late shot from the center of the goal.
Although Pachuca fell short of winning the prestigious trophy, they will return home with two titles. The Mexican side triumphed in the Derby of the Americas and the FIFA Challenger Cup with victories over Brazil’s Botafogo and Egypt’s Al Ahly, respectively at Stadium 974.
“We had our chances, but their efficiency was decisive. We had opportunities and couldn’t capitalise on them,” said Pachuca coach Almada.
“Many young players gained their first international experience throughout the tournament. It was an amazing experience. Of course, we wanted to win the final, but the effort was outstanding.”
