Pachuca, the Liga MX side, scripted a thrilling victory over Al Ahly to secure their spot in the finals of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, held on December 14, 2024, at Stadium 974, Doha. The match ended goalless after regulation and extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout where Pachuca triumphed 6-5.
The game showcased intense competition, with neither team able to break the deadlock over 120 minutes. According to early reports, Al Ahly dominated possession during the first half but struggled to convert chances, thanks largely to Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Agustín Moreno’s outstanding performance, preventing the Egyptians from taking the lead.
Despite Pachuca's inconsistent offensive output, they entered the shootout with confidence. The penalties began nervously for Pachuca, as team member Salomón Rondón had his shot saved by Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shenawy, and Borja Bastón missed as well. Nevertheless, fortunes turned when Mahmoud Kahraba’s attempt was thwarted by Moreno, and Omar Kamal sent one wide, leveling the score temporarily.
The defining moment came when Faber Gil scored for Pachuca, placing them 6-5 up before Al Ahly's Khaled Abdelfattah's shot hit the bar, sealing the victory for the Mexicans. “It was difficult, very complicated,” said Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada, reflecting on the match. “We'll try to get the players back on their feet and go to the final with all the motivation... Confidence is the last thing to die!” added midfielder Pedro Pedraza.
With this victory, Pachuca not only looks forward to their first final against European giants Real Madrid, but they also become only the second CONCACAF team to reach this stage of the prestigious tournament. Their previous best showing occurred at the 2017 Club World Cup, where they finished third.
On the other hand, Al Ahly, who came through the quarterfinals after defeating Al Ain 3-0, was considered the more successful club with over 40 Egyptian Premier League titles and numerous CAF Champions League titles. Their coach and players acknowledged the strength of Pachuca, yet were disheartened by the loss.
Throughout the match, both teams displayed grit, with Pachuca having eliminated the Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo with the same scoreline of 3-0. During their previous encounters against Al Ahly, history favored Pachuca who edged out their African rivals with a similar 4-2 victory during the quarterfinals of the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.
Next, Pachuca aims to translate their performance against Al Ahly to formidable Real Madrid, the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the most successful team with five Intercontinental Cup titles.
The excitement surrounding Pachuca’s achievement and their upcoming showdown with Real Madrid has energized their fanbase, with expectations of making history on this global platform.