Pachuca, the Mexican football club, has secured its place for the final of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup after defeating Al Ahly from Egypt 6-5 on penalties, following a tense match on Saturday, December 14, at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
The match concluded with no goals scored during the 120 minutes of play, and both teams were unable to make the most of their opportunities. The game was marked by defensive strength and tactical play, with each side creating chances yet unable to break the deadlock.
Pachuca entered the semifinals following a solid performance against Botafogo, where they emerged victorious with a scoreline of 3-0. With this win, they were considered underdogs against Al Ahly, who had previously eliminated Al Ain to reach this stage of the tournament.
During the match, the first half saw Al Ahly dominating possession, capitalizing on their experience and less physical exertion. Despite several attempts, including notable saves by Pachuca’s goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, both teams remained scoreless at halftime.
The second half offered more balance as Pachuca began to find its rhythm, with Moroccan midfielder Oussama Idrissi sparking offensive movements. A particularly thrilling moment was when Idrissi managed to slip past defenders to create scoring chances, yet the scoreboard remained unaltered as the game headed to extra time.
Extra time was less exciting as both teams showed signs of fatigue. Al Ahly nearly capitalized on one opportunity, with Mahmoud Kahraba coming close to scoring, but Moreno was equal to the task with another impressive save. After 120 minutes, the match stood at 0-0, leading to the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Initially, Pachuca found themselves under pressure as they missed their first two penalty kicks. The situation looked dire when Al Ahly had the chance to clinch the match after converting their initial shots. But, as fate would have it, Al Ahly faltered on their last two attempts, leaving the door open for Pachuca.
With the shootout alternating, tension rose as both teams traded successful penalties. Pachuca’s Fabel Gil converted successfully at the pivotal moment, and all eyes were then on Al Ahly's Abdelfattah, who hit the crossbar, sealing the fate of the match at 6-5 for Pachuca.
This victory not only marks Pachuca's first appearance at this level of competition, equivalent to the FIFA Club World Cup, but also sets the stage for their next challenge against European giants Real Madrid, who automatically qualified for the final as the Champions League winners.
Pachuca will face Real Madrid at the Lusail Stadium on Wednesday, December 18, at 14:00 (Brasília time). This matchup is significant, especially since it holds historical weight as Pachuca seeks its first title on the world stage.
The club's remarkable achievement is already stirring excitement among fans and analysts alike, as they prepare to witness whether Pachuca can rise to the occasion against one of the most successful teams globally.
The stakes are high, and the excitement palpable—Mexican football has found itself back on the world map, and all eyes are on Pachuca as they prepare for this prestigious final against the formidable Real Madrid.
