Real Madrid won their second trophy of the 2024/25 season today as they defeated Mexican club CF Pachuca 3-0 in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
The competition, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Cup, saw Los Blancos enter right into the finals courtesy of their UEFA Champions League triumph last season.
Pachuca, on the other hand, had to go through three rounds to set up a date with the reigning European champions.
In what was always likely to be a one-sided affair, Real Madrid took the lead in the 37th minute in the first half courtesy of Kylian Mbappe, who returned from a thigh injury to start the game at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Mbappe then turned provider eight minutes into the second half as he set fellow forward Rodrygo Goes, who made it 2-0.
Vinicius Jr., who was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024 this week, then applied the finishing touches with a late penalty to secure the trophy for Real Madrid – for the ninth time.
🏆 ¡CAMPEONES DE LA COPA INTERCONTINENTAL! 🏆#WorldCham9ions | #FIFAIntercontinentalCup pic.twitter.com/3i0AUgT6mI
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 18, 2024
The campaign so far has been up and down for the Merengues, with their form in the UEFA Champions League, in particular, drawing a lot of criticism. The plethora of injuries have not helped matter either.
As such, Carlo Ancelotti & co. will hope that this trophy – their second of the season after the UEFA Super Cup – can act as a springboard for them to turn things around and add more silverware in 2025.