Real Madrid did not falter in the final of the Intercontinental Club Cup. Facing the Mexicans of Pachuca FC this Wednesday at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Carlo Ancelotti’s team secured a 3-0 victory and claimed their second trophy of the season, marking their sixth Intercontinental Club Cup win.
It was a rendezvous not to be missed. After a lacklustre performance against Rayo Vallecano over the weekend in La Liga, Real Madrid responded perfectly in the Intercontinental Cup final. With the presence of FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year and the swift return of Kylian Mbappé, Los Blancos cruised to victory. KM9 opened the scoring before the break, followed by Rodrygo Goes doubling the lead with a masterpiece.
With little resistance from their opponents, Real comfortably sealed the game with a third goal by Vinícius Júnior. Carlo Ancelotti has now become the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s history with this latest triumph.
Here are the player ratings for the Madrid side:
Thibaut Courtois (6.5)
The Belgian goalkeeper delivered yet another solid performance. Tested early in the game, Courtois had little to do after his team took the lead before half-time. In the second half, he was alert to a few Mexican attempts. A good performance overall.
Antonio Rüdiger (6)
The German veteran did the basics right. Likely fatigued from the congested fixture schedule, Rüdiger was less precise with his passing on Wednesday. However, as usual, he didn’t fail to deliver when it mattered. With his wealth of experience, he thwarted several threats and allowed his teammates to step in comfortably.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (7)
Repositioned in defence, the midfielder had a solid outing. Tchouaméni was focused and reliable in the box, outperforming Rüdiger, who struggled with some misplaced passes. A strong showing that justified Ancelotti’s decision to bench Raúl Asensio.
Fran García (6.5)
A good match from the Spanish left-back. After a mixed display against Rayo Vallecano last Saturday in La Liga, García bounced back impressively on Wednesday. More aggressive in his duels, he frustrated Pachuca’s forwards, who found it difficult to break through his side. A commendable effort in the absence of the injured Ferland Mendy.
Lucas Vázquez (6.5)
The captain on the night, the Spanish right-back put in a solid performance. Against technically limited opponents, Vázquez defended cleanly. During Real’s dominant phases, he fought hard to recover possession. Offensively, he contributed well, winning the penalty for the 3-0 goal.
Eduardo Camavinga (6)
A decent but somewhat error-strewn performance from the French midfielder. Playing in the No. 6 role, Camavinga won plenty of balls as usual but also lost possession frequently. Occasionally too ambitious, the former Rennes player put his team at risk, particularly in the first half.
Federico Valverde (6.5)
A dependable presence, Valverde once again delivered a solid performance. Initially struggling, like most of the team, the Uruguayan midfielder improved as the match progressed. Often stationed on the right, he provided excellent cover for Lucas Vázquez during attacking phases. A steady game from Madrid’s No. 8.
Jude Bellingham (7)
The English midfielder had a strong outing. Given freedom on the pitch, Bellingham roamed effectively as usual. He worked tirelessly to recover possession and contributed to the attack with skilful touches and dangerous passes, remaining a pivotal figure.
Rodrygo Goes (7.5)
An outstanding performance from the 23-year-old. Playing in a three-man attack, the Brazilian, fresh off scoring a spectacular goal last Saturday, was lively throughout. His movements created gaps in Pachuca’s defence, which struggled to contain him. Proving his return to form after recent fitness issues, Rodrygo scored a stunning goal to double the lead. Among the forwards, he contributed the most defensively with vital tracking back.
Vinícius Júnior (7.5)
Recently crowned FIFA The Best Men’s Player of 2024, the Brazilian winger delivered yet again. While some of his early passes were off, Vinícius troubled Pachuca’s defenders. As often, he unlocked the game with an assist for Mbappé’s opener in the 37th minute. He later sealed the victory with a powerful penalty for the 3-0 scoreline, affirming his ability to change the course of a match.
Kylian Mbappé (6)
Making a quick return from injury, the French forward impressed. Playing with more freedom, as seen in recent Real Madrid games, the former PSG star dazzled with technical moves and clever link-ups. Operating as a No. 9, he was in the right place at the right time to convert Vinícius’s assist for the opening goal. He made way for Brahim Díaz shortly after the hour mark. A good showing from the Bondy prodigy.
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