This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
21 / 100 Powered by Rank Math SEO .rank-math-seo-score{font-family:sans-serif;position:relative;display:inline-block;height:96px;width:96px;margin:20px 20px 30px;text-align:center;color:#fff;border:none;border-radius:50%;background:#eee;-webkit-box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #bbb;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px # bbb}.rank-math-seo-score.before-content{margin:0 0 30px 20px;float:right}.rank-math-seo-score.after-content{margin:20px 0 30px 20px}.rank-math-seo-score.as-shortcode{display:inline-block}.rank-math- seo-score .label{font-size:12px;position:absolute;top:100px;left:0;display:block;width:100%;color:#979ea5}.rank-math-seo-score .score{font-size: 42px;font-weight:bold;line-height:42px;display:block}.rank-math-seo-score .outof{font-size:12px;font-weight:normal;line-height:12px;display:block;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.7)}.rank-math-seo-score .backlink{font-size:12px;position:absolute;top:-94px;left:-12px;display:block;visibility:hidden;width:120px;padding:8px 10px;-webkit-transition:.25s all ease; transition:.25s all ease;-webkit-transition-delay:.25s;transition-delay:.25s;opacity:0;color:#a8a8a8;border:none;border-radius:8px;background:#fff;-webkit-box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(60,60,90,0.2);box-shadow:0 4px 12px rgba(60,60,90,0.15)}.rank-math-seo-score .backlink:after{position:absolute;bottom:-8px;left:calc(50% – 7px);width:0;height:0 ;content:”;border-width:8px 7.5px 0 7.5px;border-style:solid;border-color:#fff transparent transparent transparent}.rank-math-seo-score:hover .backlink{top:-74px;visibility:visible;opacity:1}.rank-math- seo-score .poweredby{font-size:13px;color:#a8a8a8}.rank-math-seo-score .poweredby a{display:block;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;color:#6372b6;border:none}.rank-math-seo-score.unknown-seo{background:#eee;background:linear-gradient (135deg, #b9b9b9 0%, #989898 100%);-webkit-box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #bbb;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #bbb}.rank-math-seo-score.bad-seo{background:#f8b0a2;background:linear-gradient(135deg, #f8b0a2 0%, #f1938c 100%) ;-webkit-box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #e48982;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #e48982;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient( startColorstr=”#f8b0a2″, endColorstr=”#f1938c”,GradientType=1 )}.rank-math-seo-score.good-seo{background:#fdd07a;background:linear-gradient(135deg, #fdd07a 0%, #fcbe6c 100%);-webkit-box-shadow:1px 1px 1px # efb463;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #efb463;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient( startColorstr=”#fdd07a”, endColorstr=”#fcbe6c”,GradientType=1 )}.rank-math-seo-score.great-seo{background:#99d484; background:linear-gradient(135deg, #99d484 0%, #83c97f 100%);-webkit-box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #5ba857;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px #5ba857;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient( startColorstr=”#99d484″, endColorstr=”#83c97f” ,GradientType=1 )}.rank-math-seo-score.template-circle .score{margin-top:22px !important}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square{height:80px;width:110px;border-radius: 12px}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square .score{margin:10px 12px;text-align:left}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square .outof{display:inline-block;margin-left:-8px}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square .label{font-size:13px;top:52px;left:14px;text-align:left;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8)}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square .backlink{left:-5px}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square.before-content{margin-bottom:20px}.rank-math-seo-score.template-square.after-content{margin- bottom:0}.theme-twentytwenty .rank-math-seo-score{width:96px !important}.theme-twentytwenty .rank-math-seo-score.template-square{width:110px !important}.theme-twentytwenty .rank-math-seo-score.before-content{margin:0 auto 30px auto;display:inherit;float:none }.theme-twentytwenty .rank-math-seo-score.template-circle .score,.theme-twentytwenty .rank-math-seo-score.template-square .score{transform:translateY(22px)}
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-FIFA
Real Madrid (Spain) and CF Pachuca (Mexico) face off in the final of the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup™. Find all the essential information on this match which will be held at Lusail Stadium, in Lusail (Qatar).
Real Madrid – CF Pachuca
Wednesday December 18 Lusail Stadium | Lusail, Qatar Final | FIFA Intercontinental Cup™
Kick-off
11 a.m. (Hidalgo) 6 p.m. (Madrid) 8 p.m. (Lusail)
How to follow the match?
Watch the match live (in some territories)
The match
Real Madrid secured their place in the final of the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ on June 1, when Carlo Ancelotti’s charges defeated Borussia Dortmund (2-0) in the UEFA Champions League final. , at Wembley Stadium. The following day, CF Pachuca defeated the Columbus Crew in the Concacaf Champions Cup final by a score of 3-0.
However, for the Mexicans, the road to the final included two more stops, starting with the FIFA Americas Derby for which they secured their place thanks to their continental title. During this meeting, on December 11, after a rather calm first act, the Mexicans came out of the woods during the second period to win 3-0 against Botafogo, reigning South American champion. This success opened their way to the FIFA Challenger Cup, qualifying for the upcoming final, where they defeated the Egyptians Al Ahly after a stunning penalty shootout (0-0 ap, 6 tab to 5).
Having already won the UEFA Super Cup this season and while they are in the running for a new league title, the Madrilenians will act as big favorites in this final. However, watch out for Pachuca who has shown impressive resilience in recent months and who will be able to rely on his unshakeable faith and obviously the quality of his players to upset the giants of Europe.
An update on the workforce
Real Madrid will once again have to do without their long-term injured, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, while David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are still convalescing. Recently affected and although part of the list of players called up, Kylian Mbappé remains uncertain.
For his part, Pachuca has not reported any new injuries in recent hours. It seems certain that Gustavo Cabral will continue his interim role at the heart of the Mexicans’ defense in the absence of Sergio Barreto.
Possible starting compositions
real Madrid : Thibaut Courtois – Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran Garcia – Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham – Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Pachuca : Carlos Moreno – Gustavo Cabral, Bryan González, Luis Rodríguez, Andrés Micolta – Pedro Pedraza, Alan Bautista, Arturo González – Oussama Idrissi, Elías Montiel, Salomón Rondón
Players to watch
Arda Guler The talented Turkish international has already played more La Liga matches this season than during the entire 2023/24 championship, proof of his growing involvement in Carlo Ancelotti’s collective. The 19-year-old will arrive full of confidence in this final since he managed two assists in the draw against Rayo Vallecano (3-3) last weekend in La Liga.
Jude Bellingham Nicknamed “Belligol” last season for his propensity to regularly shake the nets, the tireless Englishman seems to have found the formula after a more discreet start to the season since he has just scored a goal in each of his last six appearances in the championship.
Salomon Rondon Pachuca’s exemplary captain, Salomón Rondón, has been able to raise his level of play and show the full extent of his talent since his team’s arrival in Qatar. The two successes obtained to reach the final of the Intercontinental Cup are not unrelated to the performances of the Venezuelan who will once again lead his troops against the Merengues.
Carlos Moreno It is no exaggeration to say that Pachuca would certainly not have qualified for the Intercontinental Cup final without its fantastic goalkeeper Carlos Moreno. The latter notably delivered a remarkable game against Al Ahly on Saturday, before proving decisive during the breathtaking penalty shootout.
By the numbers
11 This is the 11th time that Real Madrid have played in a FIFA club competition final. The European giants have played in five Intercontinental Cup finals under its old format (1960-2002), with three successes to boot. The Madrilenians have also played in five FIFA Club World Cup™ finals between 2014 and 2022, with 100% success.
4 This is the fourth time that Real has faced a Mexican club in the competition. During the inaugural edition of the Club World Cup in 2000, the Spaniards lost on penalties to Necaxa in the match for third place (1-1 ap, 4 tab to 3). Fourteen years later, in the semi-final, the Merengues got the better of Cruz Azul (4-0) before defeating Club América (2-0) two years later at the same stadium.
2 Pachuca managed to defeat Al Ahly in the FIFA Challenger Cup at the end of the fateful penalty shootout (0-0 ap, 6 tab to 5), despite two failures on his first two attempts. Salomón Rondón saw his attempt stopped by Mohamed El-Shenawy before Borja Bastón missed the target. The Egyptians, however, ended up missing two attempts too, including a match point, and the Tuzos finally won by coming back from the devil Vauvert.
Heard…
“It (this final) has a lot of importance. It reminds us that we won the Champions League last year, and that we must close well the previous season, which was very successful for us and the club. Obviously it is also very important for the club to win another international club tournament again, because we have many fans all over the world and they would all like to lift the trophy (themselves). » Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach
“All the work we have done gives us a great (reward) and it is a grand final, where we will face the greatest team in the world. We hope to win it. It will be a difficult match, but we have to believe in it. » Nelson Deossa, Pachuca midfielder
“Since we were children, we have dreamed of these moments (facing Real Madrid), achieving it is a childhood dream for me, it is an honor. Now we will give the best of ourselves in this final and try to win it. » Bryan González, Pachuca defender
