Pachuca Football Club will face off against Real Madrid on December 18, 2024, after recently defeating Egypt's Al-Ahly in nail-biting fashion during the semifinals of the Copa Intercontinental. The match ended goalless after 120 minutes, leading to penalties where Pachuca triumphed 6-5.
The game, held at Estadio 974 in Doha, was intense from the beginning. Al-Ahly initially pressured Pachuca, applying high pressure for the first 15 minutes, leaving the Mexican club struggling to find space to maneuver or create clear chances. Both teams exhibited tight defensive tactics, making it challenging for either side to find momentum.
Despite opportunities from players like Salomón Rondón and Oussama Idrissi, Pachuca failed to capitalize. Al-Ahly's Taher Mohamed caused problems for Pachuca's defense, but neither team was able to score. After 90 goalless minutes, the match progressed to extra time with no team able to break the deadlock.
The match's singular moment of danger during extra time came when Al-Ahly's Kahraba broke through Pazuca's defenses, but goalkeeper Carlos Moreno expertly saved the shot, maintaining the score at 0-0 and pushing the game to penalties.
When the penalty shootouts began, heartbreak struck for Pachuca as both Rondón and Borja Bastón missed their initial attempts, placing them 0-2 down before Al-Ahly. Yet their fortunes changed as Moreno saved Al-Ahly's Mahmoud Kahraba's shot, giving Pachuca new life. The stakes escalated each round as both teams traded successful shots until it came down to the final few penalties.
After suffering through the initial failures, Pachuca regained composure and converted their next four attempts. Khaled Abdelfattah of Al-Ahly faced the pressure and hit the crossbar on the decisive attempt, handing Pachuca the win and the right to advance to the final.
Now Pachuca gears up for the ultimate showdown against Real Madrid, who is coming off their UEFA Champions League victory. This match, set to take place at Lusail Stadium at 11 A.M. (central Mexico time), is significant as it not only presents Pachuca with the opportunity to claim the title but also serves as prelude to their upcoming meeting with Madrid at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Salomón Rondón expressed optimism about capturing the title, saying, "Two titles more… and now, to go for the third! We await you at the final of the Intercontinental Cup." His leadership and experience as team captain will be pivotal as Pachuca prepares for this monumental challenge.
Historically, this moment is monumental for Pachuca, who previously struggled to reach the Copa Intercontinental final but now stand on the cusp of glory. Their path to the final began with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brazil's Botafogo, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, and has culminated with their thrilling contest against Al-Ahly.
Pachuca's resilience reflects their determination to succeed internationally, and their upcoming clash with Real Madrid could be one for the ages. Having not faced such formidable international opposition for quite some time, the Tuzos have the chance to solidify their growing status on the global soccer stage.
With excitement building among supporters, the stage is set for what promises to be a legendary encounter against one of football's heaviestweights. Pachuca fans are rallying with the mantra, "Todos somos Pachuca!" as they prepare for December 18, hoping for their club's first Intercontinental title.
Whether they rise to the occasion will be determined when they hit the pitch against the mighty Real Madrid. Fans and players alike are eager to see if Pachuca can turn this dream matchup against La Liga's giants and perhaps, etch their name alongside the world's best.