Pachuca Football Club achieved a historic feat on December 14, 2024, by securing a place in the final of the Copa Intercontinental following a nail-biting victory over Al Ahly of Egypt. The match, held at Estadio 974 in Doha, Qatar, culminated with Pachuca triumphing 6-5 in penalties after finishing 0-0 at the end of regulation and extra time.
The match was fraught with tension, especially during the penalty shootout, as Pachuca initially struggled. After Salomón Rondón and Borja Bastón missed the first two penalties, it seemed the Mexican team was facing certain defeat when Al Ahly converted their shots. Fortuitously, the tide turned as Mahmoud Kahraba and Omar Kamal of Al Ahly faltered, allowing Pachuca to find their footing. Notably, Colombian players Nelson Deossa and Faber Gil were pivotal, scoring key penalties during the shootout.
Faber Gil converted the decisive penalty, sending the crowd at Estadio 974 roaring with elation, as the tension reached its peak when Khaled Abdelfattah of Al Ahly missed his shot. This heart-stopping moment marked Pachuca’s advance to the final against European champions Real Madrid, set for December 18, 2024.
"Esa acción desató la euforia en el estadio 974 de Doha y aseguró el pase del equipo mexicano a la gran final contra el Real Madrid," excitement hung thickly in the air as the players embraced the moment following their tense victory.
Despite their historic achievement, flow of speculation surrounds player transfers. Armando Martínez, president of Pachuca, acknowledged, "Ha habido varios equipos en el extranjero interesados en nuestros jugadores, pero ahora lo que queremos es acabar de participar y ya nos sentaremos, porque somos un equipo vendedor y es difícil decirle que no a alguna oferta." These comments reflect the reality of top-tier football—success often leads to interest from bigger clubs.
Rumor has it Oussama Idrissi is drawing particularly strong interest from Club América, who are reportedly on the verge of finalizing his transfer following the Intercontinental Cup. The Moroccan winger’s current market value is estimated at around €7 million, as noted by sources like Transfermarkt.
Further, Nelson Deossa, who just joined Pachuca earlier this year, may already have a pre-contract agreement with Monterrey for around $6.5 million. This rapid turnover could especially affect Pachuca’s future strategies as they sit on the brink of competing against one of the world’s most formidable teams.
While speculation fuels the conversation, the players remain focused on what lies ahead. The upcoming final against the legendary Real Madrid provides not only a platform to showcase their talent on the world stage but also the chance to make history within the club and their home countries.
Pachuca’s return to the pitch on December 18 is not simply about facing Real Madrid; it's about stitching together their narrative within international football and etching the names of players like Deossa, Gil, and Idrissi even more prominently on the world’s great stage. This match will be broadcast live from Lusail Stadium, the same venue where the FIFA World Cup final occurred, adding yet another layer of prestige to the event.
With the roster potentially changing soon, many eyes will be on Pachuca not just for their upcoming game but also to see who stays and who departs. Regardless, the team is determined to seize the moment and leave their mark against one of the best of the best.
The 2024 Copa Intercontinental final promises to be more than just another match; it's the culmination of hard work, dedication, and dreams for the 'Tuzos,' and there's no telling how far their ambition might take them.
