Football is a funny game. You can spend an entire year dominating your local league, winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and feeling like world-beaters. Then you fly to Qatar, walk out onto the grass at Lusail Stadium, and realize you're playing Real Madrid.
The Pachuca vs Real Madrid 2024 matchup wasn't just another game. It was the final of the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup, held on December 18, 2024. For those who don't follow the weird, ever-changing world of FIFA tournament formats, this was basically the "new" version of the old annual Club World Cup final.
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Madrid didn't even have to play a semifinal. They just waited at the finish line like the final boss in a video game. Meanwhile, Pachuca had to grind through the "Derby of the Americas" and a brutal "Challenger Cup" shootout against Al Ahly just to get a shot at the kings of Europe.
The Night the Tuzos Met the Kings
Honestly, Pachuca didn't look scared at first. They actually started the match with some real fire. Luis Rodríguez tested Thibaut Courtois early, and for about 25 minutes, it felt like we might have a massive upset on our hands. The Mexican side was move-for-move with the giants.
Then, the "Madrid Effect" kicked in.
It started in the 37th minute. Kylian Mbappé—the man who seems to score every time he breathes in a final—slotted home a slick team move. It was classic Real Madrid: soak up pressure, look a bit bored, and then bang. One-nil.
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Key Match Facts from December 18, 2024
- Final Score: Real Madrid 3, Pachuca 0.
- Venue: Lusail Stadium, Qatar (the same place Messi lifted the World Cup).
- The Scorers: Mbappé (37'), Rodrygo (53'), and a Vinícius Júnior penalty (84').
- The MVP: Vinícius Júnior, who had just been named the best player in the world by FIFA the night before.
Why Pachuca vs Real Madrid 2024 Felt Different
Usually, these intercontinental games feel like a pre-season friendly. Not this one. This was Carlo Ancelotti’s 15th title with Real Madrid. That made him the most decorated coach in the club’s entire history, surpassing the legendary Miguel Muñoz. You could see it on his face after the whistle; he knew he’d just cemented his status as the GOAT of the Bernabéu.
Pachuca, led by the veteran Salomón Rondón, really tried to claw back. Rondón had a header that missed by inches. He had a free kick that forced Courtois into one of those "how did he do that?" saves. But against a team that has Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Vini Jr. all firing at once? It’s basically impossible.
The 2025 "Rematch" in Charlotte
Wait, there's more. If you Google this, you might get confused because these two actually played again six months later in June 2025. That was for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
That second game in Charlotte was even crazier. Real Madrid had a defender, Raúl Asencio, sent off in the 7th minute. Pachuca had a man advantage for over 80 minutes! And they still lost 3-1. Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler decided to take over that day. It sort of proved that no matter the continent or the circumstances, the gap between the top of Europe and the rest of the world is still pretty wide.
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What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of fans think Pachuca just rolled over. They didn't. In the 2024 final, the stats were actually closer than the scoreline suggests. Pachuca had their fair share of shots. What they didn't have was clinical efficiency.
Real Madrid had three big chances and scored three goals. Pachuca had three big chances and met a 6-foot-7 Belgian wall named Courtois. That’s the difference at this level. You don’t get five chances to score; you get one, and if you miss, you're picking the ball out of your own net five minutes later.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a Pachuca fan, don't be too discouraged. Making it to a FIFA final in Qatar is a massive achievement for a Liga MX side. For the Madridistas, it was just another Wednesday in the office.
If you want to dive deeper into this specific rivalry:
- Watch the highlights of the December 2024 final specifically to see the Vini-Mbappé connection; it was one of the first times they looked truly "in sync."
- Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule. With the new FIFA formats, we’re going to see more of these cross-confederation matches, and the gap is slowly—very slowly—closing.
- Check the FIFA rankings. Pachuca's performance in late 2024 actually bumped them up significantly in the global club rankings, despite the loss.
Real Madrid is the measuring stick. Pachuca didn't break the stick, but they were one of the few teams in 2024 that actually made the kings of Europe sweat for a half-hour.