Real Madrid vs Pachuca 3-0: FIFA Intercontinental Cup – as it happened

The live coverage of Real Madrid vs Pachuca in the final of the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup has ended.

Thank you for joining us and Al Jazeera will be back soon with more live action.

For now, it’s a goodbye from us, Kevin Hand and Manasi Pathak.

The focus now shifts to the weekend’s round of fixtures.

Al Jazeera will bring you live coverage of the big one in boxing on Saturday as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to face off once again in the heavyweight division.

There will also be full-text commentaries on Aston Villa’s match against Manchester City on Saturday and Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Liverpool on Sunday.

As always, we’ll have our usual comprehensive and live build-ups to all the events – do tune in early and join us if you can.

A Vini step over is game over.⚡️⚪️ #FIFAIntercontinentalCup pic.twitter.com/ZVzogjeuRp

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) December 18, 2024

Player of the Tournament, Vinicius Junior edged out Kylian Mbappe in your vote for Player of the Match:

Who was Real Madrid's player of the match against Pachuca?

Vote below 👇

⚽️ Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/53Owvs0yGw

— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) December 18, 2024

The 65-year-old has one of the most decorated CVs in world football.

When he was lured back to Madrid for a second spell three years ago, following the departure of club great Zinedine Zidane, he knew that his only mission was to increase Real’s trophy haul and he has not disappointed.

He became the first manager to capture titles in each of Europe’s top five leagues — England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France — and has guided Real Madrid to two Champions League and LaLiga doubles in three seasons.

Ancelotti’s Real Madrid silverware includes three Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two Spanish League titles, two Spanish Cups, two Spanish Super Cups and, now, one Intercontinental Cup title.

Following the end of their Liga MX Apertura phase, the Mexican team will next play a Liga MX Clausura match with Santos Laguna on January 20.

Real’s triumph also marked a remarkable milestone for their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, as the Italian became the manager with the most titles in the club’s history with a total of 15 trophies.

The victory meant Ancelotti surpassed the late Miguel Munoz, whom he equalled in August by winning the European Super Cup against Atalanta.

“There are so many of them [titles]! I’m delighted, really happy … it’s a success story,” a smiley Ancelotti told Spanish television channel Telecinco.

“Today, I really liked the attitude from the players. Up front, they made the difference, Vinicius Jr had a great game. Offensively, we did well.

“We have a lot of quality. Kylian [Mbappe] had a good game, Rodrygo scored the second … We are very happy because we won a title far from home and in the middle of a busy season.”

“We had our chances, but their efficiency was decisive,” said Pachuca head coach Almada.

“We had opportunities and couldn’t capitalise on them.

“Many young players gained their first international experience throughout the tournament. It was an amazing experience.

“Of course, we wanted to win the final, but the effort was outstanding,” he added.

“I am very happy, it is natural,” Ancelotti said, according to FIFA.

“We did the things we prepared and this made the difference. Everyone played a good match, I am very happy.

“It was a match that in the middle of the season could have caused problems and instead, we deservedly won it.”

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#WORLDCHAM9IONS pic.twitter.com/nVkTRDrroI

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 18, 2024

“We are very happy for another title,” Rodrygo told Spanish television channel Telecinco.

“I was a bit anxious with the goal because Jude [Bellingham] was in front of the goalkeeper, but he doesn’t interfere with the play, so I’m happy to help the team.

“Vinicius is great, he is playing really well right now and we are pleased to have him with us. We have a great team and we are delighted.”

With Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti became the most decorated coach in the club’s history.

Ancelotti lifted his 15th title with the Spanish powerhouse, surpassing the 14 trophies that he and Miguel Munoz had won. Munoz coached the team in the 1960s and 70s.

“Very happy, it’s a triumph,” said the 65-year-old Ancelotti. “We didn’t get off to a good start but finished well, showing great attitude.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s side host Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday in their final game of the year.

The Spanish giants are currently third in the league, only one point behind table-toppers Barcelona, with a game in hand.

Real will return to the Middle East in early January for the four-team Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

They are due to play Pachuca again at next year’s Club World Cup in the United States, as well as an Al Hilal team featuring Neymar, and Red Bull Salzburg.

Modric lifts the trophy and Real Madrid players jump in joy!

For the ninth time, they are the best club in the world – the Spanish giants have won four Intercontinental Cups and five Club World Cups.

With fireworks going off in the background and confetti all around, Real Madrid players are celebrating their achievement in style.

The mobile phones are out for quick selfies for their social media!

The Real Madrid squad walks up to the stage to receive their winner’s medals.

The Spanish giants are led by head coach Ancelotti, who has become the most decorated Real coach with 15 trophies!

Ancelotti was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year.

What a week it has been for him and Los Blancos!

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is presenting medals to the players.

Pachuca’s squad are the first to receive their medals – silver – for finishing second after losing 3-0 in the final.

Same date.
Same stadium.
Two different finals.

Time flies. 👀 pic.twitter.com/w96TdtjPPD

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) December 18, 2024