Real Madrid is set to face C.F. Pachuca in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, scheduled for Wednesday at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The match is set to kick off at 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be available for live streaming in India.
Real Madrid enters the final as the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, while Pachuca claims the title of CONCACAF Champions Cup holders. In this tournament, the UEFA Champions League winners go straight to the final, while the champions of the other confederations compete in elimination rounds for the remaining final spot.
Originally introduced as the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup underwent a hiatus from 2001 to 2004 before being rebranded and revived in 2005. This year, the tournament has restructured to feature a format where the top teams from each of the six confederations compete annually for their respective titles.
In their journey to the final, Pachuca advanced past the South American champions Botafogo from Brazil with a decisive 3-0 victory in the Derby of the Americas. They further showcased their resilience by defeating the African-Asian-Pacific Cup champions Al Ahly of Egypt in a thrilling penalty shootout, where Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno emerged as a key player after Al Ahly missed three penalties.
Pachuca’s standout performers include Oussama Idrissi and Salomon Rondón, both of whom will be crucial in this historic moment as it marks the club’s debut in a major FIFA final.
On the other hand, Real Madrid will field a strong team, featuring Kylian Mbappe, who is recovering from an injury that kept him out of their recent La Liga match. Alongside him, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham are expected to play pivotal roles.
For fans in India, the match can be followed live on FIFA+, with the action kicking off at 10:30 PM IST on Wednesday, December 18.
This match promises to be an exciting showdown between two formidable clubs, with Real Madrid aiming to add another trophy to its illustrious history while Pachuca seeks to make its mark on the global stage. As the teams prepare for this incredible opportunity, supporters worldwide will be eagerly anticipating a thrilling encounter.