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Real Madrid earn a “Five Stars” performance in 2024

Despite the struggles they faced this season, Real Madrid, champions of Spain and Europe, ended their golden year by claiming their fifth title, lifting the Intercontinental Cup after defeating Mexican side Pachuca, the CONCACAF champions, 3-0 in the final. The match was played in front of 67,000 fans at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Kylian Mbappé (37) and Brazilians Rodrygo (53) and Vinícius Júnior (84, penalty) scored for Los Blancos, securing their second trophy of the season after the UEFA Super Cup and their fifth title in 2024, following victories in the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League.

This marked Real Madrid’s 11th final in a FIFA-organized tournament. The club has already won the FIFA Club World Cup five times. The tournament will adopt an expanded format next summer in the United States. Real Madrid has also won the Intercontinental Cup four times in their history.

This was Real Madrid’s first-ever encounter with Pachuca. Both teams have been drawn together in Group H of the upcoming Club World Cup, alongside Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.

The final was packed with chances. Pachuca, who had eliminated Brazilian side Botafogo (3-0) in the quarterfinals and Egyptian side Al Ahly (6-5 on penalties) in the semifinals, started creating chances early on. Moroccan winger Oussama Idrissi and veteran Venezuelan captain Salomón Rondón tested Real Madrid’s defense. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came to the rescue, saving a one-on-one with Alan Bautista inside the box (9) and parrying a powerful shot from Idrissi (11).

Once Carlo Ancelotti’s men found their rhythm, the danger shifted to the Mexican goal. Real Madrid opened the scoring with a well-orchestrated play. Federico Valverde initiated the move from midfield, exchanging passes with Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga before setting up Englishman Jude Bellingham, who delivered a perfectly timed pass to Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian, advancing into the box, outplayed goalkeeper Carlos Moreno and assisted Mbappé, who tapped the ball into the empty net (37).

The iconic Lusail Stadium brought better memories for Mbappé this time, as he had lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final there to Argentina on penalties exactly two years ago, despite scoring a memorable hat trick in that match.

Real Madrid doubled their lead early in the second half with a stunning goal from Rodrygo, who dribbled past multiple defenders at the edge of the box before curling a right-footed shot into Moreno’s far-left corner (53).

The VAR summoned Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela to review the goal due to Bellingham potentially obstructing the goalkeeper’s view, but the goal stood after confirmation.

Six minutes before the final whistle, Real Madrid completed their 3-0 victory. Lucas Vázquez won a penalty after being fouled by Idrissi inside the box. Vinícius Júnior stepped up and converted the spot kick with power, earning him the Man of the Match award over teammate Valverde.

In the post-match press conference, Vinícius, who was also named the tournament’s Best Player, expressed his joy: “I play for the best team in the world, and I’m very happy with today’s title and all the trophies we win as a team.”

He added: “We always strive to win every title possible. We aim to be the best version of Real Madrid, so we approach every competition with the mindset of winning it. I can confidently say the team is on the right track.”

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