Real Madrid win FIFA Intercontinental Cup

-

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Pachuca

Real Madrid have claimed the first-ever FIFA Intercontinental Cup with a commanding victory over Mexican side Pachuca in the final.

Author - Jack L

FIFA Intercontinental Cup - Real Madrid 3 - 0 Pachuca

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring at Lusail Stadium, the same venue where he netted a hat-trick in the World Cup final two years ago. Second-half goals from Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr sealed the win for Los Blancos.

Mbappé put Madrid ahead just before half-time, calmly slotting home from close range after Vinícius rounded Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno.

Rodrygo doubled the lead seven minutes after the break with a stunning curling strike from the edge of the area. The goal was upheld following a VAR check, as referee Jesús Valenzuela ruled that Jude Bellingham, positioned in an offside spot, hadn’t interfered with play.

Click here to discover Real Madrid news and stories from European Super Football

Pachuca’s captain, Salomón Rondón, tested Thibaut Courtois with a long-range free-kick, and the former West Brom and Everton striker later saw a header narrowly miss the target.

Vinícius, fresh from being crowned FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year, added Madrid’s third with a penalty after Lucas Vázquez was brought down by Oussama Idrissi.

This inaugural Intercontinental Cup serves as a replacement for the FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to return next summer in a revamped format. The tournament featured five continental champions in a straight knockout competition.

Pachuca, winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, earned their spot in the final by defeating CAF Champions League holders Al-Ahly of Egypt. Meanwhile, UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid entered the competition directly at the final stage.

youtu.be/l6tQOXeYHhs?... Real Madrid ease to win in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/search/label...

[image or embed]

— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 18 December 2024 at 20:47

What is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

In March 2023, FIFA approved a concept for an annual club competition set to begin in 2024, named the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. This competition is similar to the Intercontinental Cup which was held between 1960 and 2004 and was organised by UEFA and CONMEBOL. The earlier version was typically contested between the champions of the two respective confederations. Notably, Manchester United won this in 1999.

The competition features a series of intercontinental play-offs between clubs from all confederations except UEFA, whose club receives a bye to the final.

This is a different tournament from the recently expanded FIFA Club World Cup that will take place at the end of the 2024/2025 domestic season. The format of that competition will follow the model of the recent FIFA World Cup where 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four before a straight knockout will result in a 'world champion'.

Popular posts from this blog

Manchester is red this Christmas

-
Image
Manchester City 1 - 2 Manchester United Manchester United delivered a sensational late comeback to snatch victory from Manchester City in a dramatic derby at the Etihad Stadium. Author - Olivia T City had looked set for the win after Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header, but United turned the game on its head in the dying moments, securing a crucial early triumph for new manager Ruben Amorim. The standout performer was Amad Diallo, who won an 88th-minute penalty after being brought down by Matheus Nunes. Bruno Fernandes coolly converted to level the score. Moments later, Diallo capitalised again, slotting home from a tight angle to complete the turnaround. It was a game of few clear chances, with both sides struggling to create much of note. United appeared to have squandered their best opportunity to equalise when Fernandes, put through by Rasmus Højlund, chipped Ederson but missed the target with 17 minutes remaining. However, the match erupted in the final moments, leaving City’s ...
Read more

Southampton sack Russell Martin after Spurs thrashing

-
Image
Southampton 0 - 5 Tottenham Hotspur Southampton have parted ways with manager Russell Martin following a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, which left the club nine points adrift of Premier League safety. Author - Greg S Interesting news from Southampton yesterday. What happens next for the club? https://t.co/Mu4Cn3x6Z9 https://t.co/lSN0fQqiUT — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) December 16, 2024 The 38-year-old had led the Saints to promotion last season in his first year at the helm, securing a dramatic play-off final victory over Leeds United at Wembley. However, the heavy loss to Spurs marked Southampton’s 13th league defeat in just 16 matches this campaign. Their solitary win came against Everton in November, and they’ve struggled in front of goal, managing a league-low tally of just 11. A closer look at what happened to result in Martin's sacking James Maddison eased any pre-match nerves for Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, scoring just 40 seconds into ...
Read more

Manchester United's year ends with another defeat

-
Image
Manchester United 0 - 2 Newcastle United Newcastle United secured a rare league victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, only their second since 1972, as they handed the hosts a third consecutive home defeat – a feat not seen in 45 years. Author - Olivia T This result also marked another unwanted milestone for United, who have now suffered five league losses in a single calendar month for the first time since Sir Matt Busby’s reign in September 1962. Eddie Howe’s side were deserved winners, with early strikes from Alexander Isak and Joelinton sealing the points and lifting Newcastle to fifth in the table to cap off a strong finish to 2024. The in-form Isak continued his hot streak, notching his 12th goal of the season and eighth in his last six matches, scoring in each of those games. In stark contrast, Manchester United were woeful. The last time they lost three consecutive home league games was in 1979, and this performance provided little cause for optimism. Head coach Ru...
Read more