Real Madrid had already dominated Atalanta Bergamo to win the European Super Cup in August. With this new title, won again in a single match, the Merengues are giving themselves some relief after a complicated start to the season, undermined by injuries and the search for a new way to play.
Kylian Mbappé in particular, who took time to get his bearings, and who was injured last week against Atalanta Bergamo in the Champions League, should savor this trophy.
In the Lusail stadium where he scored two years ago – already on December 18 – a hat-trick, in vain, in the World Cup final against Argentina, he scored the first goal of the match on Wednesday (37th). He just had to position himself in front of the cages as a real center forward to receive the offering from Vinicius Jr, who had just gotten rid of the Mexican defense with a delicious leg pass. He himself had been launched by third superstar Jude Bellingham.
– Rodrygo takes the break –
Pachuca, who defeated Lyon owner John Textor’s Botafogo (3-0), during one of the additional rounds he had to play, had nevertheless started very well by taking advantage of the weakness of Real Madrid. Several dangerous situations put Thibaut Courtois to work. But Pachuca lacked a fraction of the talent that was there to make the difference.
The magical Madrid trio turned into a quartet since it was winger Rodrygo, more discreet in the media but often brilliant, who made the break all by himself. Served by Mbappé, he dribbled to the edge of the area before hooking to get on his good foot and roll gently towards the small net (53).
The team coached by Carlo Ancelotti, crowned best coach of the year by Fifa the day before, then wandered around and had fun offensively. Notably when Vinicius, named best player of the year, attempted a double contact to deceive goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, in vain.
But the Brazilian was able to celebrate his individual trophy the day before by converting – narrowly – a penalty obtained by Lucas Vasquez. Before squandering two good scoring chances, but the main thing had already been done a long time ago.
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