Real Madrid vs Pachuca: FIFA Intercontinental Cup final – team news, Mbappe | Football news
Spanish giants and European champions Real Madrid will face Mexico’s Pachuca in the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Doha.
WHO: Real Madrid vs Pachuca
What: FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final
Where: Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar
When: 8pm (17:00 GMT) Wednesday December 18
Follow Al Jazeera’s live text and image creation and commentary.
European champions Real Madrid will be aiming for a record sixth world crown when they enter the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup against Mexican side Pachuca in the final to be played in Qatar on Wednesday.
The Champions League holders and Europe’s most successful club side have been given direct qualification for the competition’s finals as UEFA continental champions.
Pachuca are the underdogs – but they ended a good 12-month run with an impressive performance in Doha.
The new Intercontinental competition has replaced the FIFA Club World Cup and will be held annually for the six continental champions as part of FIFA’s new system of world club championships. The Club World Cup has now grown to the 32 best club teams from around the world and will be held every four years.
Real Madrid is no stranger to a #FIFAIntercontinentalCup for the last time! ⏪🏆 pic.twitter.com/SFwBW3L2MH
– FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) December 17, 2024
As the winners of the CONCACAF Continental Cup (for teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean), Pachuca’s chances of victory against Real Madrid should not be dismissed lightly.
Their defeat of Botafogo by 3-0 on Thursday in the Derby of the Americas was a shocking result as the giants of Brazil will go to this game.
Also impressive was Pachuca’s victory on penalties against African powerhouse Al Ahly in the final round of the Challenger Cup, marking the best result by a Mexican team in a FIFA tournament.
Real Madrid, who have won the FIFA Club World Cup five times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), will also be favorites in Wednesday night’s final.
The squad is loaded with world-class talent unmatched at club level, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
The final will be played at Lusail Stadium and marks two years since Qatar hosted the World Cup final, where Argentina defeated France.
Real Madrid club news
Mbappe has been passed fit to play in the final – but whether the thigh injury threatening his participation will allow him to start remains to be seen. The French star came out 3-2 victorious in Atalanta in the Champions League last Wednesday.
Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all out with long-term knee injuries. Ferland Mendy was also sidelined.
Pachuca club news
Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada have no new injury concerns for this game and could keep the same XI that beat Al Ahly on Sunday.
Salomon Rondon, 35, who enjoyed a long career in the English Premier League with Newcastle United, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, was the star and Man of the Match as his side won the CONCACAF against the Columbus Crew.
Where can I watch and follow the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final?
Regional broadcasters and online streaming platforms will broadcast the game live on television.
Al Jazeera Sport will use the live streaming of the text commentary and video coverage of the match.
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🤝 @Zengane#RealMadridxZegna pic.twitter.com/ZS1N4prA7b– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2024
