Real Madrid beat Pachuca to clinch Intercontinental Cup title

Updated: Dec 18, 2024, 07:59 pm

Real Madrid won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Mexico's Pachuca 3-0 in the final on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior scoring.

It was a largely one-sided contest at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, with Madrid doing just enough and never looking likely to cede control despite allowing their opponents to threaten occasionally from counter-attacks.

The Champions League winners opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a fine team goal that started with Jude Bellingham passing to Vinicius, who ran past the goalkeeper before putting it on a plate for Mbappé, who tapped it into the empty net.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both scored in the intercontinental cup final.
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Rodrygo extended their lead with a lovely effort in the 52nd minute when he beat two defenders before cutting back inside and curling a fine strike into the top corner with his right foot.

Vinicius wrapped up an easy win for Real from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Oussama Idrissi fouled captain Lucas Vázquez inside the box.

Having won three trophies in the original Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor to the current format that pitched the European and South American champions against each other, and five Club World Cups, Real have won a combined total of nine global titles.

"I'm happy with today's game, and with [winning The Best] yesterday, which was very special," Vinicius said. "Players always want to be at our best, and last season I was able to win a lot of trophies, and this season so far... [Trophies] are special.

"It isn't just me, it's all the players who do their bit, the coach who gives me freedom and believes in me, and the players, the staff, that's important."

With the win, Carlo Ancelotti became the most decorated coach in Madrid's history. In two spells in charge at Madrid, Ancelotti has lifted three Champions League trophies, two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Cups, and now the Intercontinental Cup.