Chi: Real Madrid-Pachuca
What: FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final
Dove: Stadio Lusail, Doha, Qatar
When: Wednesday 18 December at 8pm (5pm GMT).
Follow the live text, the preparation and the commentary on the photos of Oltre La Linea.
European champions Real Madrid will aim for a record sixth world title when they enter the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup against Mexican side Pachuca in the final in Qatar on Wednesday.
The Champions League holders and Europe’s most successful club team qualified directly for the final of the tournament as UEFA continental champions.
Pachuca are the underdogs, but capped a brilliant 12-month run of form with an impressive performance in Doha.
The new Intercontinental competition replaced the FIFA Club World Cup and will be held annually for the six continental champions as part of FIFA’s new global club competition format. The Club World Cup has now expanded to 32 of the best club teams from around the world and will be held every four years.
As winners of the CONCACAF Continental Cup (for teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean Confederation), Pachuca’s chances of winning against Real Madrid are not to be underestimated.
Botafogo’s 3-0 defeat on Thursday in the Derby of the Americas was a shocking result with the Brazilian giants favorites coming into the match.
No less impressive was Pachuca’s victory on penalties against African giant Al Ahly in the last round to win the Challenger Cup, sealing the Mexican club’s best-ever result in a FIFA tournament.
Real Madrid, who have won the FIFA Club World Cup five times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), will once again be favorites for Wednesday night’s final.
The squad is filled with unrivaled world-class talent at club level, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
The final will be played at the Lusail Stadium and marks exactly two years since Qatar hosted the World Cup final, in which Argentina defeated France.
News about the Real Madrid team
Mbappe has been deemed fit to feature in the final, but it remains to be seen whether the thigh injury that threatened his participation will allow him to start. The French star limped out of the 3-2 win at Atalanta in the Champions League last Wednesday.
Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all missing with chronic knee injuries. Ferland Mendy is also sidelined.
News about the Pachuca team
Guillermo Almada, coach of Pachuca they have no new injury concerns for the match and could keep the same XI that beat Al Ahly on Sunday.
Salomon Rondon, 35, who enjoyed a long career in the English Premier League with Newcastle United, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, is the name of the star and was Player of the Match in his team’s CONCACAF win against Columbus Crew.
Where can I watch and follow the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final?
Regional broadcasters and online streaming platforms will broadcast the match live.
Oltre La Linea Sport will broadcast a stream of live text commentary and photographic coverage of the match.
