Real Madrid Dominates Pachuca 3-0 to Claim Intercontinental Cup Glory

Kylian Mbappé scored the opening goal as Real Madrid won the inaugural revised FIFA Intercontinental Cup. He scored at Lusail Stadium, the same stadium where he scored a hat-trick for France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, as Madrid beat Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 thanks to second-half goals from Brazilian duo Rodrigo and Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-0 in Doha to seal FIFA Intercontinental Cup wonderfulness.

Pachuca began the game well, looking to urge forward rapidly and get at the Real Madrid resistance. The Mexican furnish had a progression of early shots but nothing to truly inconvenience goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

After 37 minutes, Real Madrid scored with their first on-target attempt of the game, demonstrating their class. Jude Bellingham’s wonderful pass was intercepted by Vinicius Junior, who then took the ball around Carlos Moreno and selflessly slid it to Kylian Mbappe, who was able to tap it in from close range into a net that is empty.

Pachuca had their first real chance in the 52nd minute when Nelson Deossa found space on the edge of the box before shooting, with a finish that went wide of the post.

A minute later, Rodrygo’s stroke of pure skill gave Real Madrid a 2-0 lead. After cutting the ball to the left of the box, the Brazilian slid it past Moreno onto his right foot.

Due to Jude Bellingham’s positioning, the referee was called to the VAR monitor to consider a potential offside. However, he upheld his first ruling that the Englishman wasn’t interfering with play and therefore the goal stood.

Salomon Rondon was the highest Venezuelan to leap into the goal in the 70th minute, heading home Elisas Montiel’s cross with a superb header that almost halved the deficit, but the Pachuca man’s shot just sailed over the crossbar.

Real Madrid were assured of the result in the fifth minute when Vinicius Junior converted a penalty, beating Moreno after a foul on Lucas Vazquez in the box.

Real Madrid vs Pachuca stats: