2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final: It’s Real Madrid Vs Pachuca
European Champions, Real Madrid of Spain will today battle Pachuca of Mexico in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup final slated for Doha in Qatar.
The match, taking place inside Lusail Stadium at 8pm (17:00 GMT), will see the La Liga giants targeting a record-extending sixth global crown.
Madrid were granted direct qualification to the tournament’s showpiece finale as UEFA’s continental champions while Pachuca, who are clearly the underdogs, capped off a brilliant 12-month run of form with an impressive performance in Doha.
Interestingly, the newly branded Intercontinental competition is replacing the FIFA Club World Cup and will be held annually for the six continental champions as part of FIFA’s new global club competition format.
According to FIFA, the Club World Cup has now expanded to 32 of the finest club teams from around the world and will be held every four years.
As the Champions League holders and Europe’s most successful club side, Los Blancos booked their spot in the final way back on 1 June when they defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley.
Expectedly, pundits have tipped as favourites the Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who already have a UEFA Super Cup to their name this term and are firmly entrenched in the La Liga title fight this season.
However, the unshakeable belief and undoubted quality which has carried Pachuca thus far makes this a fascinating encounter to behold.
To arrive at this tournament’s showpiece, Pachuca defeated Columbus Crew 3-0 in the Concacaf Champions Cup decider. But the continental crown only secured their place at the FIFA Derby of the Americas and they had two more games to go.
On 11th December 2024, the Mexican outfit further consolidated their position by uprooting favourites, Botafogo of Brazil 3-0 and three days later recorded a dramatic penalty shootout victory over African powerhouse, Al Ahly of Egypt after the tie ended goalless in regulation time.
Meanwhile, latest team news indicate that Real Madrid will be without long-term absentees, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, while David Alaba and Ferland Mendy remain sidelined.
On their part, there are no fresh injury concerns for Pachuca, with Gustavo Cabral set to continue in the heart of defence in the absence of Sergio Barreto.
Predicted Line-Ups
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Pachuca: Carlos Moreno, Bryan Gonzalez, Gustavo Cabral, Luis Rodriguez, Andres Micolta, Pedro Pedraza, Arturo Gonzalez, Alan Bautista, Elias Montiel, Oussama Idrissi, Salomon Rondon.
