Pachuca concludes FIFA Intercontinental Cup with second place finish | OneFootball

MIAMI — CF Pachuca concluded its participation in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup as runners-up following a 3-nil defeat in the Final to Real Madrid CF on Wednesday at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

Luis Rodríguez stuck from long range to test Thibaut Courtois in the 7’ as the Tuzos showed ambition from the opening moments.

Oussama Idrissi had a look on target in the 16’ as the Mexican club continued to search for the opening goal.

Nelson Deossa and Salomon Rondon generated consecutive chances for Pachuca, in the 31’ and 33’ respectively, but the match would remain a stalemate.

Kylian Mbappé broke through for the Spanish giants in the 37’ with a left-footed hit inside the six-yard box to connect on a pass from Vinícius Júnior.

Rodrygo extended the lead for Real Madrid in the 53’ with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Salomon Rondon stuck on target from a free kick opportunity in the 67’, but Courtois swatted away the attempt.

Rondon struck a menacing header in the 71’, connecting on a precise cross into the box from 19-year-old Elías Montiel, but the attempt was just high of the crossbar.

Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno cut off a free kick service into the penalty area from Luka Modrić in the 73’ and proceeded to make a save seconds later to deny Vinícius Júnior.

Vinícius Júnior converted a penalty kick attempt in the 84’ to extend the advantage for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners.

The result saw the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners match the best finish by a Concacaf club in the tournament’s history.

Pachuca manager Guillermo Almada made history by becoming the first Uruguayan coach to lead a Concacaf club against a UEFA champion.