Real Madrid discover FIFA Intercontinental Cup final opponents | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face Mexican side Pachuca in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, which takes place in Qatar on Wednesday evening.

The competition has replaced the previous iteration of the FIFA Club World Cup and is made up of all six continental Champions League (or equivalent) winners, with Madrid taking part in the showpiece event this week.

As European Champions League winners, Madrid were always guaranteed their place in the final, but the first round play-off took place way back in September as United Arab Emirates' Al Ain beat New Zealand's Auckland City 6-2.

Egypt's Al Ahly then defeated Al Ain in the second round in late October, while Brazilian Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo were thrashed by Pachuca last Wednesday.

That set up a semi-final between Al Ahly and Pachuca on Saturday, which would determine who would face Madrid in the final at the Lusail Stadium.

Pachuca beat Al Ahly on penalties / Anadolu/GettyImages

After a goalless draw across regulation and extra-time, it was Mexico's Pachuca who triumphed 6-5 on penalties to reach the final against Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Madrid have played several Mexican clubs previously in competitive fixtures but this will be the first meeting with Pachuca. Both sides are also taking part in next summer's revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Los Blancos face Pachuca on Wednesday evening before returning to La Liga action against Sevilla on 22 December in their final match of the calendar year.