Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid won the Intercontinental Cup. In Qatar, in the final in Lusail, the Blancos clearly prevailed over Pachuca 3-0 with goals from Mbappè, Rodrygo and Vinicius from penalties. For the coach from Reggiolo, 15th trophy at the helm of the Blancos which makes him the most successful coach in the history of the club. The merengues easily overcame the Mexican winners of the Concacaf Champions League in the final.
The match
For the match, Ancelotti immediately sends Mbappè onto the pitch, having recovered from his injury, together with Rodrygo, Bellingham and Vinicius. Despite the offensive power of the Spaniards, the Mexicans started better with Courtois doing well in a couple of interventions on Rodriguez and Idrissi. Real, after an initial phase at a slower pace, accelerated in the 37th minute when Bellingham found space, a double step from Vinicius and the ball to Mbappè who put the ball into the net to make it 1-0. In the second half Ancelotti’s team played with greater calm and doubled their lead in the 53rd minute with a gem from Rodrygo, who feinted with a left foot after Mbappè’s discharge and then with a right foot curled it into the corner. VAR check for a possible influential offside by Bellingham, but then the goal is confirmed. Pachuca tries to get back ahead but Courtois is ready. Then in the 83rd minute Real closed the match with a penalty scored by Vinicius jr. and awarded for an intervention by Idrissi on Lucas Vasquez. From the spot the Brazilian makes no mistakes and makes it 3-0. In the final, a goal disallowed for offside against Pachuca which in any case would not have changed history.
