Pachuca has made history by qualifying for the final of the Intercontinental Cup after triumphing over Egyptian club Al Ahly in a gripping penalty shootout following a goalless draw. The match, held on December 14, 2024, at the Estadio 974 in Doha, Qatar, marked the first time any team from CONCACAF has reached this stage of the tournament, setting the stage for a monumental clash against European giants Real Madrid on December 18, 2024.
The game was characterized by tense play and solid defenses. Most of the first half saw Al Ahly apply pressure, creating several goal-scoring opportunities, but they were consistently thwarted by Pachuca's goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno. Moreno made pivotal saves early on, showcasing his agility as he blocked attempts from Taher Mohamed and dealt skillfully with crosses from the Egyptian side.
Despite Al Ahly controlling much of the possession and threatening with long-range efforts, Pachuca began to find their rhythm as the match progressed. Mexican forward Oussama Idrissi, who had been influential earlier against Botafogo, tried to breach the Al Ahly defense but faced resilience. While Pachuca's attack generated chances, none could find the back of the net, leading the match to the second half still locked at 0-0.
The second half continued the theme of defensive prowess, with both teams struggling to capitalize on openings to secure the lead. Pachuca finally began to threaten, with efforts from Salomón Rondón and Idrissi forcing Al Ahly's goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to make spectacular saves. Yet, after 90 minutes of intense play and additional time, neither side managed to break the deadlock.
With the score still 0-0 after 120 minutes of play, the match proceeded to penalty shootouts. The pressure mounted as Pachuca faced significant adversity, initially trailing 2-0 after missed attempts by Rondón and Borja Bastón. Al Ahly's Afsha and Rabia capitalized on those misses to give Egypt's top club the advantage.
But Moreno's remarkable performance would turn the tide. He saved two penalties, keeping Pachuca's hopes alive as they clawed back. The turning point came when Al Ahly's Mahmoud Kahraba, having taken his shot under immense pressure, saw it parried by Moreno, creating the chance for Pachuca to equalize.
After four tense rounds, with scores back and forth, it was Faber Gil's successful shot followed by Khaled Abdelfattah missing by hitting the crossbar, which sealed the victory for Pachuca at 6-5. Moreno's heroics not only led his team to triumph but etched his name as one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Pachuca's head coach Guillermo Almada praised his team's resilience post-match saying, "It’s going to be tough, very challenging, especially... we’ll do our best to help the players recover and approach the match with all the motivation in the world.” This statement encapsulated the focus on their forthcoming challenge against Real Madrid, which promises to be monumental.
Midfielder Pedro Pedraza reflected on the victory stating, "Thanks to him, we became champions. It’s a dream, not just for us but for the institution, the fans, and our families.” The sentiment echoed throughout the Pachuca camp, highlighting the significance of their advancement beyond national achievements to now contest against one of the most storied clubs in football history.
This Cup final marks not only Pachuca's first appearance at this level but also the first time any team outside of Europe or South America has competed for the Intercontinental Cup. With the stakes high, Pachuca aims to become the first CONCACAF team to hoist the trophy after achieving past milestones by Mexican teams like Tigres and the Club World Cup.
On the other side, Real Madrid awaits eagerly, entering the final following their storied track record, aiming for their ninth title (the last victory coming in 2022). The time for preparations now commences for both teams as they gear up for what promises to be one of the significant encounters on the football calendar.
Fans and supporters of Pachuca look forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face off against the best, representing not just their club but also all of Mexican football and the CONCACAF region on this world stage. This pivotal encounter, particularly against historic rivals, lays the groundwork for aspirations of future successes on the global stage.
The countdown is on for what could be one of the most historic matches for Pachuca as they strive to capture the imaginations of many and inspire future generations of footballers, reminding everyone of the elegant unpredictability of sport.
