Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid enters the match as firm favorites, aiming to secure their ninth Intercontinental title. Fresh off their Champions League triumph in June. The team last claimed this prestigious honor in 2023 and is eager to extend their legacy.
Pachuca's route to the final has been marked by resilience and determination. Earning their sixth CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this year, they carried that momentum into Qatar, where they first overcame Botafogo with a commanding 3-0 victory.
Goals from Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa, and Salomon Rondon highlighted their attacking flair. Their semifinal against Al Ahly was a much closer affair, ending in a penalty shootout triumph, with goalkeeper Carlos Moreno saving the decisive kick.
This final marks the first-ever clash between Real Madrid and Pachuca, setting the stage for an intriguing battle of styles. Madrid's tactical discipline and Pachuca's counter-attacking prowess will test each side's adaptability.
Real Madrid improved as the match progressed. Pachuca, organized and brave, entered Madrid's half and created problems for Ancelotti’s side. The first half hour was theirs, where they threatened more and created dangerous situations, managing to neutralize the front trio: Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Mbappé. The first significant chance came for Pachuca with a long-range shot from Rodríguez that forced Courtois to stretch and make a save.
Pachuca continued implementing their strategy on Madrid's turf, inducing errors in the passes of Fede Valverde, Camavinga, and Bellingham. They maintained pressure and created more chances, putting Courtois under duress. Madrid's only forays came down the left flank with Fran García, yet they still struggled to finish their plays. The image of a slow, heavy, and unorganized team was observable once again. Real Madrid failed to link up effectively, often struggling to build from the back with Tchouaméni positioned as a central defender.
Madrid had the match in their control. With a Pachuca team that left spaces, refused to sit back, and took risks, the passing minutes began to wear on the Mexican side, benefiting the Madrid team that improved in attitude and executed transitions better. Mbappé upped the tempo of the game, injecting energy and determination into the attack. He showed no signs of being hampered by injury. Madrid began to stretch, penetrating the Mexican area, but they still found scoring difficult.
Then came Mbappé's goal, just past the half-hour mark. Real Madrid hit the gas and dismantled Pachuca's defensive setup with an extended build-up that reached the edge of the area. Bellingham delivered a pinpoint pass to Vinícius, who broke through with a change of pace, laying it off for Mbappé to finish comfortably. The talent and strike power shifted the game's balance right before halftime.
Real Madrid entered the second half with renewed vigor. It wasn’t too challenging, and it seemed Ancelotti must have given a stern talk in the locker room to avoid any mishaps. Pachuca stood their ground and maintained their strategy of being difficult to face in Madrid's half. They encountered a suddenly switched-on Mbappé. The Frenchman darted around the left, central, and right flanks of the attack, creating spaces and causing panic for Pachuca's defense. Rodrygo capitalized on this for the second goal, which required a VAR check. The referee ruled that Bellingham did not interfere with the goalkeeper’s line of sight, and it was a well-deserved goal for Rodrygo, who needed it after an inconsistent season.
Following the second goal, with half an hour remaining, Ancelotti substituted Mbappé and the cautiously-playing Camavinga for Ceballos and Brahim Díaz. Nonetheless, Pachuca didn’t shrink, hungry for a goal, and once again tested Courtois. The Belgian had to produce a great save from a free-kick shot by Salomón Rondón, which was aimed perfectly at the post. Rondón also had another major chance with a header that could have changed the game. It was a looming threat for a Madrid side that was pacing themselves on the field and through their substitutions. Modric came on for Rodrygo, receiving one of the warmest receptions from the crowd in a rather subdued atmosphere.
Vinícius, recently crowned The Best, played the entire match. The Brazilian capped it off with the third goal, awarded via a penalty won by Lucas Vázquez and confirmed by VAR. He struck the ball powerfully; the goalkeeper got a touch, but it wasn’t enough to deny the Brazilian one day after being honored by FIFA as the best player in the world. Raúl Asencio and Arda Güler, the last substitutions, came on with five minutes left. Real Madrid secured their fourth Intercontinental Cup title.
