In a historic showdown at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Real Madrid claimed the inaugural Fifa Intercontinental Cup title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mexican side Pachuca. The win solidifies the Spanish giants’ status as global football elites, with standout performances from Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Vinícius Jr.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring late in the first half, marking a triumphant return to the venue where he dazzled in the 2022 World Cup final. The French forward capitalized on Vinícius Jr.’s brilliant play, slotting the ball into the net after the Brazilian outmaneuvered Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno.
Rodrygo extended Madrid’s lead seven minutes into the second half with a spectacular curling shot from the edge of the penalty area. A brief pitchside VAR review confirmed the goal, ruling that Jude Bellingham, who was initially flagged for offside, did not interfere with play.
Despite their valiant efforts, Pachuca struggled to break through Real Madrid’s defense. Captain Salomón Rondón came close with a powerful free-kick that forced a save from Thibaut Courtois and a near-miss header that skimmed over the crossbar.
Vinícius Jr., fresh off winning the FIFA Best Men’s Player award, sealed the victory with a penalty in the closing stages after Lucas Vázquez was fouled by Oussama Idrissi. The Brazilian’s composure from the spot capped off a night of dominance for Los Blancos.
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The tournament, designed as a replacement for the FIFA Club World Cup, featured a straight knockout format with champions from five continental competitions. Pachuca, representing the Concacaf Champions Cup, earned their place in the final by defeating African champions Al-Ahly. Real Madrid, winners of the UEFA Champions League, entered directly into the final and proved why they are Europe’s most successful club.
This victory marks another milestone for Madrid, showcasing their global dominance and adding yet another prestigious trophy to their storied history. The Lusail Stadium, synonymous with dramatic football moments, witnessed yet another chapter of glory for the Spanish champions.
