Real Madrid have secured the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup trophy courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Mexican outfit Pachuca in the final of the competition on Wednesday.
Pachuca beat Al Ahly on penalties in the Challenger Cup to qualify for the final, but it was always going to be a huge ask for the Liga MX outfit to beat the reigning European champions, who comfortably beat their opponents in Qatar.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute of the contest, with Kylian Mbappe turning a low cross from Vinicius Junior into the back of the net after an excellent move which also involved Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.
Rodrygo then curled one into the back of the net to double Real Madrid's advantage early in the second period - there was a VAR check, with Bellingham in an offside position and in front of the Pachuca goalkeeper - but the referee stuck with his initial decision.
Real Madrid scored their third from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, with Vinicius finding the back of the net after Lucas Vazquez had been brought to the ground by Oussama Idrissi.
Pachuca actually had 10 attempts over the course of the match, but the seven-time Mexican champions never threatened to make it a contest, with Real Madrid, as expected, proving to be too strong for their opponents.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Much had been made about Mbappe's fitness ahead of this match, as the Frenchman had initially been expected to miss out due to a thigh problem, but he travelled with the squad and was named in the starting side before going on to have a major say in Carlo Ancelotti's side securing the trophy.
There was major pressure on Real Madrid to triumph, as a loss would have been viewed as a huge shock, and Pachuca certainly deserve credit for making it a competitive Intercontinental Cup final for long spells.
Real Madrid now have their second trophy of the season in the bag, and they will be hoping that the success can be a springboard, as there have been too many setbacks in the opening months of the 2024-25 campaign.
An incredibly talented squad has just not been able to produce consistently this term, but providing that their key players stay fit and there are no more long-term injuries, Ancelotti's side should be in the mix for the major trophies once again this term.
Real Madrid did win the previous Intercontinental Cup, which was active between 1960 and 2004, on three occasions, while they are five-time winners of the Club World Cup, but they are now the first winners of the Intercontinental Cup in its current format.
Ancelotti set history on Wednesday, meanwhile, with the Italian becoming the most decorated Los Blancos head coach of all time on 15 trophies.
REAL MADRID VS. PACHUCA HIGHLIGHTS
37th min: Real Madrid 1-0 Pachuca (Kylian Mbappe)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 37th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Mbappe, who turns a low Vinicius cross into the back of the net; Valverde and Bellingham were also involved in what was an excellent team goal.
37th min: Real Madrid 2-0 Pachuca (Rodrygo)
Mbappe turns provider this time, as Real Madrid double their lead, with Rodrygo working his way to the edge of the penalty box before curling an excellent effort into the corner of the net - that is a high-quality goal from the Brazilian.
83rd min: Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca (Vinicius Junior)
Real Madrid score their third in the 83rd minute of the contest from the penalty spot, as Vinicius converts through the goalkeeper after Idrissi had fouled Vazquez inside the box, with the decision being given following a VAR review.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KYLIAN MBAPPE
© Imago
Mbappe has had his fair share of criticism this season, but the Frenchman was in brilliant form during his 62 minutes on the field on Wednesday, making the breakthrough in the 37th minute before setting up Rodrygo for 2-0 just past the hour.
Pachuca just could not live with the former Monaco youngster when he went through the gears, and he certainly enjoyed being back alongside Vinicius and Rodrygo in the final third of the field, with all three having their fitness problems this term.
REAL MADRID VS. PACHUCA MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Madrid 61%-39% Pachuca
Shots: Real Madrid 11-10 Pachuca
Shots on target: Real Madrid 3-4 Pachuca
Corners: Real Madrid 6-5 Pachuca
Fouls: Real Madrid 14-12 Pachuca
BEST STATS
4 - This will be @realmadriden's fourth clash against Mexican opposition 🇲🇽 in all competitions, the previous three being at the Club World Cup: 1-1 vs Necaxa in 2000 (defeat on penalties), 4-0 win vs Cruz Azul in 2014 and 2-0 win vs America in 2016. Intercontinental. pic.twitter.com/5IXyYY3ZIl
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 18, 2024
Kylian Mbappé has scored 300 club goals.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 18, 2024
He is 25 years old. pic.twitter.com/fWNnY3lmW0
8 - Kylian Mbappé has scored eight goals in his last seven finals between club and country in all competitions and four in the two at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Infallible. pic.twitter.com/cV3IAEBewO
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 18, 2024
3 - Kylian Mbappé is the third player to score in each of his first two finals for @realmadriden across all competitions in the last 10 years, after Gareth Bale in 2014 and Marco Asensio in 2017. Impact. pic.twitter.com/v8YH0TOXLG
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 18, 2024
4 - Rodrygo Goes has scored four goals in his last five finals for @realmadriden in all competitions, after scoring none in the previous six. Confidence. pic.twitter.com/2Thuqz7Hju
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 18, 2024
15 - Carlo Ancelotti has won his 15th title with Real Madrid, becoming the most successful coach in the club's history (Miguel Muñoz, 14). Legendary. pic.twitter.com/CMuIoRCzIk
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 18, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid's attention will now switch back to La Liga, with Los Blancos returning to domestic action against Sevilla at Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon; Ancelotti's side are currently third in the La Liga table, one point behind leaders Barcelona, who have played a game more.
Pachuca, meanwhile, are not back in domestic action until a clash with Santos Laguna on January 20, with Guillermo Almada's side beginning their Clausura campaign after finishing 16th in the Apertura, only picking up 13 points from 17 matches.
Matt Law
