Real Madrid’s previous meetings and record against Mexican teams

The first final of a new competition, the Intercontinental Cup will be played between teams from Mexico and Spain.

Pachuca booked their place after beating Egypt’s Al Ahly on Saturday - with no goals on full-time, or after extra-time, the game was decided from the penalty spot with the Mexicans edging the shootout 6-5.

Last week Guillermo Almada‘s side had beaten Libertadores champions Botafogo 3-0 en route to the semi-final and now the Tuzos will face the biggest test of their 132-year history - against Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The first Mexican team to play an official final against Real Madrid

On Wednesday, Pachuca will become the first Mexican team to play in the final of an official international tournament against Real Madrid.

Playing in different league and on different continents, it’s obvious why there haven’t been many games between Real Madrid and Mexican teams. Pachuca have never faced Madrid - either in official or unofficial competition. So let’s take a look at the Liga MX side that have,

Mexican teams that have faced Real Madrid in official competition

Necaxa

Real Madrid and Necaxa met in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship - the inaugural edition of the tournament that a few years later would be rebranded the Club World Cup.

The tournament was held in Brazil with two groups of four teams - two from South America, two from Europe and one each from North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Madrid and Necaxa both finished runners-up in their group and played the match for third place. It ended 1-1 after extra-time and was decided from the penalty spot with the Mexicans prevailing 3-4.

Cruz Azul

Madrid’s next encounter with Mexican opposition was at the 2014 Club World Cup, held for the second year running in Morocco. Cruz Azul as winners of the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League qualified while Madrid booked their place as Champions League winners.

Stade de Marrakech was the venue for the semi-final - there was no contest as Madrid ran out 0-4 winners with goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco.

América

Two years after that, Madrid found themselves facing Mexican rivals again at the same stage of the same competition.

Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were the scorers as Madrid beat the Eagles 0-2 in Yokohama on 15 December 2016.

There have been another 18 games between Real Madrid and Mexican clubs in unofficial games - preseason friendlies or summer tournaments such as the Teresa Herrera.

The most notable was the 2004 Trofeo Bernabéu game in which Pumas were the invited guests.

Israel Castro bagged the winner on 70 minutes in the Spanish capital as Pumas became the fifth visiting club to lift the trophy.