Real Madrid vs Pachuca live online: score, stats and updates, Intercontinental Cup

Intercontinental Cup winners: Real Madrid

In the end, Real Madrid's class shone through and despite a few early scares from Pachuca, the LaLiga side found their groove and never looked back once Mbappé opened the scoring in the 37th minute following some excellent combination play from Camavinga, Bellingham, Vini and the French striker.

Rodrygo bagged the second of the night in the 53rd minute with a fine individual effort and the strike was a body blow for Pachuca who visibly tired as the clock ticked down.

Rondon went close for the Mexican side and in the final minutes, a VAR check was needed to award Los Blancos a spot kick as Vazquez was clipped by Idrissi.

Vini Jr. stepped up fresh from winning the Best award on Tuesday night and made no mistake to seal Carlo Ancelotti's 15th major title as Real Madrid manager and the club's second of the season.

Next on the line for the Bernabeu side, the Spanish Super Cup which takes place in Jeddah next month.

We're in the final minute of the three added on as the final whistle sounds and Real Madrid are 2024 Intercontinental Cup champions. 

Rondon carded for a shirt pull.

Vini Jr. has been awarded the MVP Award by FIFA for his showing tonight.

Pachuca score but the strike is ruled out as a Tuzos player had drifted offside.

Vini breaks free and tries to lob Moreno but drifts the ball into the keeper's arms.

Idrissi and Deossa off for Pachuca

Figueroa and Hernandez enter the game

Guler and Asencio on for Madrid

Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez make way

Vinicius almost makes it four as he screws the ball inches wide.

Vini seals it for Madrid

The Brazilian steps up and slots home despite a fine effort from Moreno.

A penalty I'd say will be awarded.

And the definitive decision is .... spot kick.

Vinicius to take.

Possible spot kick for Madrid as Lucas Vazquez is clipped and then makes the most of it ... Minimal contact but let's see what the ref says.

Pachuca look exhausted. Three games here in Doha in the space of a week for the Mexican side taking its toll on the legs.

The game really is slipping away from the Liga MX team as Ancelotti is furious with Vinicius as he tries a solo run.

67,000 plus fans here at the Lusail Stadium tonight. Not a full house but a respectable showing from the local fans on Qatar national day.

The objective for Madrid now is to be able to see this game out and avoid injuries with a packed month of January around the corner with games in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, the return of the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Changes for Pachuca

Sanchez and Angel Mena exit the game

Bautista and Rodriguez making way

Both these teams will meet again next summer as part of the expanded Club World Cup and will face-off in Charlotte on 22 June (2025).

Close from Rondon as the Vino Tinto striker heads just inches over and that is as close as Pachuca have gone all evening.

The Croatian central player is massively appreciated at grounds all over the world.

Modric on for Rodrygo and the veteran midfielder gets one of the loudest cheers of the night.

Vini almost bags the third but screws the ball wide.

Decent free from Rondon as Courtois is called into action once again.

Shots on goal: Real Madrid 2-4 Pachuca

100% efficiency in front of the target from the Spanish side.

Pachuca are enjoying more possession now but their efforts to grab a goal back are all rather tame and timid.

Modric is poised to make an entrance.

Less than half an hour of the Intercontinental Cup final remain and Madrid are still in control with their two goal advantage.

Changes for Madrid

Mbappé and Camavinga make way ...

Ceballos and Brahim enter the action

Madrid sitting a little deeper now and Pachuca enjoying more possession.

An already uphill task for the Liga MX, has just gotten that bit harder as Pachuca need a goal and quickly to get back into contention in the final.

Changes imminent for both side.

Madrid double their advantage

VAR calls the ref to revisit the move.

The referee confirms that, in his view, Bellingham was not interfering with the play so the goal stands.

Hold fire... the referee is looking at the goal again... possible offside from Bellingham.

The tempo of the game seems slower at the start of this second half as Pachuca threaten and win a corner kick.

Pachuca need to get the ball to Idrissi who has been way too quiet for too much of the match.

Pedraza carded for a tug on Bellingham.

Pachuca are next in action on 10 January as the 2025 Clausura Season starts with Madrid having to play their postponed game against Valencia on 3 January. Los Blancos wind up their 2024 on Sunday as they face Sevilla at home.

Pachuca come into tonight's game on the back of 120 minutes (plus penalties) last Saturday in the semi-final against Al Ahly.

Later the same evening, Los Blancos were involved in LaLiga action as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Rayo Vallecano.

Tiredness may play a factor as this game wears on.

The teams are back on the pitch and Pachuca start the second half.

Mbappé on target two years later

It was two years ago since Argentina were crowned world champions at the Lusail Stadium, the very same venue where tonight's game is being played with lightning striking as the French man scores in the same venue.

Will it be happier ending for his side tonight ... just possibly. 

It's not been plain sailing for Real Madrid in the final with Ancelotti's men only really coming alive after about 25 minutes as they were evenly matched and at times outplayed by the Liga MX side.

As the game wore on, the quality and pedigree of the talent in white started to show and this was apparent in the build-up to the only goal of the game with a fine move involving Camavinga-Bellingham-Vini and Mbappe who tapped home inside the 6 yard box.

Pachuca looked bright early on in the half and their threat certainly comes from OussamaIdrissi with the former Sevilla man looking dangerous on the left flank.

The Mexican side will need to get on level terms early on in the second period as one fears that if Madrid were to score again in the first 10-15 minutes of the half it would be curtains for Pachuca. 

Madrid lead at the break

That's it for the first 45 minutes and it's Real Madrid who lead at the interval.

We'll have one minute of added time in Doha.

Pachuca are slipping up with their final ball.

The Liga MX side manage to work things well and then as they approach the Madrid box, deliver a poor ball and the move breaks down.

Madrid take the lead in Doha

Pachuca are on the ropes !

Madrid smell blood and come at the Mexican side again.

One feels that Pachuca will rue those missed chances in the opening minutes as Madrid have finally found theor groove.

We move towards the interval and the contest has become a little stop-start with a series of free kicks breaking up the rhythm of the match.

Five Pachuca players begin to warm-up as the game is halted as Rudiger and a Pachuca man (Deossa) collide and the referee has to stop the action.

Shots on target to date

Real Madrid 0-2 Pachuca

Madrid starting to up the tempo now and although Moreno in the Pachuca has yet to make a key save, Madrid are starting to attack via both flanks with Mbappé, Rodrygo and Vini looking threatening. 

Possession after 30 minutes:

Real Madrid 68%-32% Pachuca

Idrissi is a fine football player !

It's taken more than 25 minutes but the pattern of the match is now more what we would have expected pre-kick off as Madrid dominate and the Liga MX side are forced to defend deeply.

One observation on the atmosphere, it's rather flat to be honest.

Just an observation on Mbappé, the French striker looks to be moving freely and not a player playing with that hesitation of possibly carrying a knock.

It will be interesting to see if Pachuca can maintain this high energy level they've shown in the opening of the match.

Both teams guilty of many misplaced passes as Rodrygo sees an effort intercepted by Moreno and Madrid win another corner.

We hit the 20 minute mark and it's still Pachuca who are in control as Madrid seem to be somewhat lethargic and sluggish.

Who will complete this line-up?

Let's not forget, Pachuca won three (3) of their 17 games in the Liga MX Apertura  season and finished 16th/18 teams.

At the moment, they are on top of Los Blancos.

We approach the quarter of an hour mark and, it has to be said that Pachuca have created all the danger to date in the final, however the final few minutes have seen Madrid ease their way back into contention as Mbappé, Bellingham and Vini get on the ball with greater frequency. 

Madrid launch a counter and win their first corner of the night.

The speed at which Mbappé and Vini Jr. break at is impressive !

Courtois the saviour again as he palms away a dangerous ball from Idrissi and Madrid are actually suffering here in the opening stages of the final.

Now Montiel almost breaks through with the Madrid back line caught napping and it needs Courtois to be alert again to gather.

A touch of jetlag from the Spanish side who only arrived in Qatar last Tuesday. The Mexican side have been based in Doha for almost two weeks. 

Wow, Rodriguez has a pop from outside the box and it needs Courtois to be alert to divert the ball wide for a corner.

An early shock there for Los Blancos.

Just to give you a very early idea of how the pattern of the game is shaping up...

After the six minutes of the final, Madrid have enjoyed 84% possession !

Free for Madrid as The Best winner Vini Jr. is taken out by two Pachuca players.

A cagey start from both sides with neither keeper yet to be called into action.

Pachuca refusing to let Madrid have any time on the ball.

Away we go in Doha.

We're good to go in Lusail as the countdown to kick-off starts.

Los Blancos will get the action underway.

It may not be a 100% sell-out but there is a very decent crowd in attendance at the iconic stadium this evening as the captain's (Lucas and Rondon) share team pennants and pose for the protocol pre game photos.

Venezuelan Mr Jesus Valenzuela is tonight's match official.

We're all set as fans use their mobile phones to capture the pre game light show as the teams wait in the tunnel to take to the pitch.

Real Madrid in their classic all-white kit with the Mexican side using an all navy kit this evening. 

Tonight's team news

Tonight's teams

Madrid fans dot the stadium

However, despite the presence of over 1,500 Mexican supporters, it's the white Real Madrid jersey that is the dominant feature in the stand tonight with the bulk local Madridistas.

1,500 Pachuca fans present

Despite not being one of the higher profile clubs in Liga MX, 1500 Pachuca fans are expected in Lusail this evening to see their side majke history as they take on the powerhouse that is Real Madrid in the final.

Atmosphere building outside Lusail Stadium

As kick-off looms. fans are starting to make their way into the vast 86,000 capacity arena.

The players will be out for their warm up routine in a matter on minutes.

Real Madrid eye second title of the season

After beating Atalanta in Warsaw last August, Los Blancos bagged their first title of the season and could win an incredible seven major titles this campaign with the introduction of the new expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

After the Intercontinental Cup final, Madrid are in action at the Spanish Super Cup in January (in Jeddah) with the Copa del Rey, LaLiga, Champions League and CWC the other titles on the line this season.

FIFA The Best Awards

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024: Full list of award winners

Vinicius wasn't the only Real Madrid winner last night at the Best FIFA Awards with 'Los Blancos' boss Carlo Ancelotti also being awarded the Men's Coach of the Year award.

A series of Madrid player such as Carvajal, Bellingham and the now retired Toni Kroos also appeared in the Ideal XI of the Year.

...and finally.. the Pachuca starting team

Some tweaks from Tuzos boss Guillermo Almada as Barreto starts in place of Cabral with Deossa also getting drafted into the side for the final.

We're still waiting for the Pachuca starting XI to be announced, but the key men for the Mexican side are veteran striker Solomon Rondon (who was excellent against Botafogo) and Oussama Idrissi who enjoyed a spell in Laliga with Sevilla FC and has impressed for 'Los Tuzos' in their time in Qatar.

Both players are expected to start for the Liga MX outfit.

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

What’s the difference between the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup?

Intercontinental Cup... Club World Cup....

There may be many of you wondering what precisely is this competition... is it the same as the old Club World Cup?

Anyhow, just as well that our colleague Roddy Cons is on the case and he has drafted up this explanier that outlines the differences between both FIFA club competitions. 

Mbappé starts

The Frenchman became the latest in a long line of Madrid players to suffer fitness issues in the first half of the Champions League victory away to Atalanta last Tuesday, December 10.

Having scored the opening goal in Italy, Mbappé was replaced by Rodrygo after suffering a thigh injury, which immediately cast doubt over his participation in today's FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Much of the pregame talk has entered around his fitness level after he was ruled out of Saturday’s draw against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.

Ancelotti, however was making positive noises in the past few days and with the French striker passing a late fitness test, he will take his position up front in Doha.

Lusail is ready

How many fans will pack into the spectacular 86,000 capacity stadium tonight?

As of 24 hours ago, tickets were still available for the game which is also being held on national Qatar day.

What do we know about Pachuca?

With six CONCACAF Champions League and seven Liga MX titles in their trophy cabinet, Pachuca, the self-proclaimed ‘team of Mexico’ are looking to write another chapter in Mexican football tonight.

Nobody saw the Liga MX outfit beating Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo with such ease at the quarter-final stage as Guillermo Almada’s side needed a penalty shoot-out to beat African champions Al Ahly in the semifinals last Saturday to secure a berth in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final.

Pachuca were far from favourites on their road to a place at the Intercontinental Cup. The side from Hidalgo had to overcome Club América at the semifinals stage of the CONCACAF Champions League before beating highly tipped Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final with the ‘Tuzos’ thriving upon being labelled the ‘underdog’.

The side is led by coach Guillermo Almada and the Uruguayan has been pivotal in improving his side at this competition despite a poor showing in the recent domestic Liga MX Apertura season. The 58-year-coach has confirmed that he will stand down from the club upon the conclusion of the 2025 Club World Cup.

Intercontinental Cup

Who is Jesús Valenzuela Sáez, the referee for Pachuca vs Real Madrid, Intercontinental Cup final?

Real Madrid XI out

So, Mbappé is back... The French striker has shaken off the muscular niggles and will lead the line with Brazilian Vinicius Jr, fresh from being awarded The FIFA Best Award last night at Education City.

Thcouameni is back in defensive duties for Ancelotti's men in Doha.

The action gets underway at 12:00 pm ET or 09:00 for those in the Pacific time zone.

The setting for tonight's final is Lusail Stadium with the colossal venue being the very same where Argentina were crowned world champions two years ago to the very day.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final as Real Madrid face Mexico's CF Pachuca.