Real Madrid beats Pachuca to win Intercontinental Cup – Football International

Although Pachuca created more chances than Real Madrid in the first half, a revival from Vinícius Júnior was enough to allow Kylian Mbappé to score. A piece of cake for the Frenchman, who easily tapped in for the 1-0. That was the halftime score in the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, where the World Cup finals were also played in 2022.

Eight minutes after halftime, Rodrygo then beautifully made it 2-0 Royal. On a pass from Mbappé, the midfielder received the ball on the edge of the sixteen, after a cutting movement the Brazilian then lashed out with a short foot movement after which his shot fell into the far corner.

Real Madrid also had the most possession after the break and was dominant on the ball, yet Pachuca remained the most dangerous through a number of counters. The Mexicans eventually had four shots on target, but were unable to get past Courtois.

The final decision in the match then had to wait until six minutes before the end. After Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela Sanez had placed the ball on the spot, Vinícius Júnior was allowed to take the penalty kick. He shot it through the middle with a dry shot, so that goalkeeper Moreno was still there, but still had to concede the 3-0.

Although Real Madrid, as Champions League winners, had directly qualified for the final of the Intercontinental Cup, Pachuca FC defeated both the Brazilian Botafogo FR (3-0) and the Egyptian Al Ahly (0-0, after penalties) prior to the final.

It was the first edition of the FIFA Intercontentinal Cup since the tournament ceased to exist in 2004. In the current format, non-European clubs play a tournament prior to the final, after which the winner will face the Champions League winner of Europe in the final.

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