European champions Real Madrid clinched the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 after handing Mexico’s Pachuca a comprehensive 3-0 defeat in front of 67,249 adoring fans at the iconic Lusail Stadium on Wednesday night.

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Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, who missed Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, returned to open his team’s scoring in the 37th minute of the game.

The deadly accurate forward fired from close range after being set up by Brazil’s Vinicius Junior, who was named FIFA Player of the Year in Doha just a day earlier.

Mbappe, who scored a stunning hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at the same venue two years ago, also paved the way for Real Madrid’s second goal.

In the 53rd, he assisted Rodrygo as he doubled his team’s lead with a shot from the edge of the box. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check, before Mbappe was substituted in the 62nd, making way for Brahim Diaz.

Vinicius Junior sealed victory with a spot kick in the 84th after Pachuca’s Oussama Idrissi was penalised for a foul against Lucas Vazquez following a VAR check.   

Although Pachuca fell short of winning the prestigious trophy, they will leave Qatar with two titles, having triumphed in the Derby of the Americas and the FIFA Challenger Cup, with victories over Brazil’s Botafogo and Egypt’s Al Ahly respectively.

For Real Madrid, the victory marked their fourth title of the year, adding the Intercontinental Cup to their UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup trophies.

In addition to the win, Carlo Ancelotti made history, becoming the most successful manager in Real Madrid’s history with his 15th title, surpassing the legendary Miguel Munoz, who had won 14 trophies with the club between 1960 and 1974.

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