Three takeaways from Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca | Intercontinental Cup

When Real Madrid and finals meet in the same sentence, the story only ends one way – with Los Blancos hoisting the trophy and taking home the bragging rights.

That’s exactly what happened last night at the Lusail Stadium against Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup finale as Los Blancos put three goals past the Mexican side to win the title.

Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo were on the scoresheet and helped the team get over the line without much difficulty and earned them the right to call themselves World Champions once more.

Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca.

One more in the bag

Real Madrid are destined for greatness and have established themselves as one of the leading footballing institutions over the years.

Playing for Los Blancos, thus, comes with unbelievable pressure as wins are not celebrated as passionately as defeats are criticized.

The high standards at the club imply that nothing less than a pole position finish is enough to win the fans’ favour and living up to that expectation is difficult.

Last night, the team stepped up to the pressure and managed to rack up a win in the final and take home the title, making it two trophies so far this season.

A lot has been said about Real Madrid’s season so far and their inconsistency and failure to dominate games.

Yet, it is hard to deny that the men in white are a group who step up when it is needed the most and will thus go on to challenge on all fronts.

With their second title in the bag with the team still far from its best, it will undoubtedly come as a massive confidence booster for the locker room who can only imagine how much is to come if they grow like they are.

After all, they are not far off from the top in La Liga and are well-placed to at least qualify for the knockout rounds in the Champions League. The importance of last night’s win, thus, cannot be understated.

The big three

It just takes one glance at the scoresheet of Real Madrid’s win over Pachuca last night to understand the player who played a critical role in Carlo Ancelotti’s side and stepped up on the night.

It was Kylian Mbappe who opened the scoring from a Vinicius Jr. assist to put his side ahead in the 37th minute.

Rodrygo doubled the advantage eight minutes into the second period from Mbappe’s assist before Vinicius Jr closed matters off with a calm goal from the penalty spot.

A lot was said before the season over how the trio will adapt to playing with each other. Many called for Rodrygo’s departure while others stated that Mbappe and Vinicius cannot coexist in the same system.

The game at Lusail Stadium could not prove such schools of thought more wrong and it is vital that such a performance came just in time before the new year.

Injuries have largely prevented the attacking trio from playing together so far this season but with all three now fit, it will be interesting to see where they take their partnership.

The Intercontinental Cup final, needless to say, maybe the start of something special.

Engraved in gold

While it was the players and the dressing room that stole the limelight against Pachuca and in the post-match celebrations, words cannot understate how important the result was for Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid is a club that simply does not accept anything less than first place and every manager who takes over at the helm and holds his position is thus a legend in his own right.

To overtake all such illustrious names and go on to win the most titles as a Real Madrid manager in history is thus an astonishing feat and a testament to Ancelotti’s greatness.

The Intercontinental Cup last night was the 15th trophy in the Italian coach’s cabinet with Real Madrid and he has now officially overtaken Miguel Munoz who was tied with him at 14.

With a long season yet to go and five titles yet to compete for, Los Blancos could help their coach extend his lead and possibly even reach 20 titles.

Ancelotti’s name will be engraved in gold in Real Madrid’s history irrespective of what is to come this year and the win last night will thus remain close to his heart.