DOHA, Qatar – CF Pachuca made their mark on the world stage by advancing to the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after overcoming Al Ahly FC in a thrilling penalty shootout on Saturday at Stadium 974. The match, which ended goalless after 120 minutes of play, saw Pachuca win 6-5 on penalties, securing their encounter against European giants Real Madrid.
The semifinal match unfolded with Al Ahly initially establishing control over the contest, dominating possession and pressuring Pachuca's defense. Egyptian forward Taher Mohamed fired the first warning shot for Al Ahly, testing the opposing goalkeeper with his long-range effort just twelve minutes in. Wessam Abou Ali was also near miss for the Egyptians as his shot from close range went over the bar, leaving fans anxious for the lead.
Pachuca, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm early on, but began to generate opportunities as the first half progressed. Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondón had the chance to put his team up but could not capitalize on the deflected pass from teammate Oussama Idrissi. Despite several attempts, the first half ended with neither team able to break the deadlock.
Into the second half, Pachuca began to find their footing and made substitutions to refresh their attack. Bryan Micolta introduced new energy, and the midfield began stringing together effective plays. Their increasing pressure forced Al Ahly to retreat, yet strong performances from the Egyptian defense, particularly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, kept Pachuca from scoring.
Despite the shifts and attempts from both sides, the match wore on without goals, pushing it to extra time. The intensity peaked during this period, with chances coming from both ends, yet neither team capitalized on their opportunities. Kahraba of Al Ahly came agonizingly close but missed from point-blank range, sealing the fate for the second half of extra time to conclude without any goals.
The decisive moment came down to the dreaded penalty shootout after two hours of tense football. The shootout began with Pachuca faltering, missing their first two attempts, leaving them at a significant disadvantage. Rondón and Borja Bastón both missed their spots, with Al Ahly taking advantage with two successful penalties initially.
Yet, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Al Ahly's Khaled Abdel-Fattah hit the woodwork on his penalty attempt. This proved to be the turning point for Pachuca. With newfound momentum, the Mexican side converted six consecutive penalties through stellar shots from players like Luis Rodríguez and Elías Montiel, showcasing their composure under pressure.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly faltered again, with another of their key players, Kahraba, having his spot-kick saved by Pachuca’s Carlos Moreno, who emerged as the hero of the night. Moreno's deflections and saves throughout the match kept Pachuca alive, and his final penalty save sealed the 6-5 victory for Pachuca.
“We have just made history,” Moreno stated after the match. “Every save felt important, but winning here tonight means everything to us. We now turn our attention to the final.”
This victory marks Pachuca's first advance to the final of the Intercontinental Cup and sets them up for what promises to be another exciting encounter against Real Madrid. Coach Guillermo Almada expressed his pride and determination after the match: “This is not just a victory for Pachuca but for all of Concacaf football. We will bring our best to the final and show the world what we can do.”
Pachuca's dramatic rise continues as they prepare for the grand final to be held on Wednesday at Lusail Stadium. Fans are eagerly awaiting this historic matchup, hoping their team can clinch the prestigious title against one of football’s most lauded clubs.
Al Ahly, on the other hand, will reflect on their missed opportunities, seeking to regroup after once again failing to progress beyond the semifinals of the tournament they have long sought. This closely contested match added to their legacy of near misses, and they will look to build from this experience moving forward.
For now, the attention shifts to Pachuca, who aim to carve their name alongside the sport's elite as they head toward the final against Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League holders. Will they achieve the unthinkable and claim the title?
