Real Madrid is set to face off against C.F. Pachuca from Mexico in the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. The match is slated to begin at 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be available for live streaming in India.
As the representatives from UEFA, Real Madrid enters the final as the UEFA Champions League winners, while Pachuca earned their spot as the CONCACAF Champions Cup holders. The structure of the tournament allows the UEFA champions to qualify directly for the final, while champions from other confederations engage in elimination rounds to determine the second finalist.
Originally introduced in 2000 as the FIFA Club World Championship, the tournament took a break between 2001 and 2004, returning in 2005 as the FIFA Club World Cup. This year marks the revival of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup with a fresh format, highlighting the champions from each of the six confederations.
C.F. Pachuca made their way to the final by defeating South American champions Botafogo of Brazil 3-0 in the second round, followed by overcoming Al Ahly of Egypt in a tense shootout after a scoreless draw in the Challenger Cup. Notably, Pachuca’s goalkeeper Carlos Moreno played a crucial role, saving three penalties in the shootout, leading to a 6-5 victory.
Pachuca’s key players include Oussama Idrissi and Salomon Rondón, who have been standout performers throughout the tournament and will be aiming to shine in this significant opportunity for the club.
On Real Madrid’s side, the team boosts its lineup with the return of star player Kylian Mbappe, who had missed a recent La Liga match due to injury. Other star players like Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham are also anticipated to feature prominently.
For viewers in India, the Real Madrid vs. Pachuca final will be streamed live on FIFA+.
This match not only highlights the prowess of two different football cultures but also represents an exciting opportunity for C.F. Pachuca to make history in their first major FIFA final. It underscores the international nature of football and the potential for underdog stories to unfold on the global stage. As the tournament transitions into a new format and the FIFA Club World Cup reconfigures into a quadrennial event starting in 2025, fans can look forward to greater diversity and excitement in future competitions.