Reigning European champions Real Madrid will aim to win their second trophy of the season when they face Mexican outfit Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday, 18th December.
With the FIFA Club World Cup coming in a brand-new avatar in the summer of 2025, the Intercontinental Cup will now be played annually to determine the best team across the continents. Manchester City won the Intercontinental Cup — then-FIFA Club World Cup — at Flamengo’s expense last year.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca: Preview
Real Madrid
La Liga giants Real Madrid have been below their majestic best this season. They enjoyed a strong start to the 2024-25 season, going nine games without defeat in La Liga. However, consecutive defeats to Barcelona in La Liga and AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League made them off-balance.
Carlo Ancelotti has since steadied the ship, with Los Blancos losing just two of their last eight games, but the Italian tactician has yet to unlock his superstar team’s full potential.
Real Madrid are coming into the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final on the back of a demoralizing 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo were on the scoresheet in that game. The draw, which marked the sixth time they had dropped points in La Liga (17 games), saw them drop to third place (37 points) in the rankings. Barcelona (38 points) and Atletico Madrid (37 points) occupy the top two spots.
Pachuca
While the UEFA Champions League triumph was enough to secure Real Madrid’s spot in the final, Pachuca had to take a much tiresome route to reach Lusail. In their first game in Qatar, the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners claimed a 3-0 victory over 2024 Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo. Pachuca then beat African champions Al-Ahly on penalties to set a date with Real Madrid in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca: Team News and Predicted XI
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has travelled with the team to Qatar and should get the nod to start on Wednesday. David Alaba, meanwhile, has rejoined team training but is not in the squad for the game against Pachuca. Dani Carvajal (ACL), Eder Militao (ACL), Ferland Mendy (muscle) are out.
Potential XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Pachuca
Pachuca, on the other hand, will be without the services of defensive midfielder Israel Luna (ACL).
Potential XI: Moreno; Rodriguez, Micolta, Cabral, Gonzalez; Montiel, Deossa, Pedraza, Bautista, Idrissi; Rondon
Real Madrid vs Pachuca: Prediction
Real Madrid are all about winning trophies, and we believe, Pachuca will not be able to stop them in their tracks this Wednesday. Los Blancos could have some nervy moments, but ultimately, it should be a straightforward victory for Ancelotti’s men.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
