Players and coach of Real Madrid celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
DOHA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe both scored for Real Madrid as the Spanish club cruised through Pachuca from Mexico 3-0 to lift the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup trophy here on Wednesday.
In the 37th minute, Vinicius Jr. dribbled over Pachuca's goalkeeper and assisted Mbappe to score an open goal. Rodrygo fired from the edge of the box to double the lead for Real Madrid in the 53rd minute before Vinicius Jr. sealed the 3-0 victory with a late penalty created by Lucas Vazquez.
Winning 15 titles with Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti became the most decorated coach in the club's history, surpassing Miguel Munoz, who had won 14 trophies.
"I'm very pleased, very happy. It's a success. That's more than anyone else," said Ancelotti.
FIFA restarted the Intercontinental Cup this year, which features six continental club champions and is aimed to replace the previous format of the Club World Cup as the latter is being expanded to a quadrennial tournament with 32 teams in 2025.
A past version of the Intercontinental Cup used to be held from 1960 to 2004 involving the champions of Europe and South America.
In the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the European champion will make it straight to the final to meet the winner of the other continental champion clubs. ■
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (1st R) awards Kylian Mbappe (2nd R) of Real Madrid with the gold medal during the podium ceremony after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Elias Montiel of CF Pachuca poses with his bronze ball award during the podium ceremony after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
The golden ball award winner Vinicius Junior (C) of Real Madrid, silver ball award winner Federico Valverde (R) of Real Madrid and bronze ball award winner Elias Montiel (L) of CF Pachuca pose for photos after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Qatar's Sports and Youth minister Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani (L) presents Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid with the golden ball trophy after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Eduardo Camavinga (R) of Real Madrid vies with Elias Montiel of CF Pachuca during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Starters of CF Pachuca pose for photos before the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe (R) celebrates with his teammate Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid pose with the trophy after winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) awards Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, with the gold medal during the podium ceremony after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Sergio Barreto of CF Pachuca during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid poses with his silver ball award during the podium ceremony after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, reacts during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid poses with his player of the tournament award during the podium ceremony after the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Starters of Real Madrid pose for photos before the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, looks on before the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Final match between Spain's Real Madrid and Mexico's CF Pachuca at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
