Real Madrid were ultimately crowned champions, defeating Mexican side Pachuca 3-1 in the final. This game was the first step toward their historic victory in the Club World Cup. This year’s opening match in Group H played out in Charlotte, North Carolina. Even as they were forced to fight their most difficult battle, the Spanish club showcased truly remarkable fortitude.
This game started off with a bang as both teams were looking to set the tone. The heavily favored Real Madrid, with their storied past in international competitions, quickly assumed control of the game. Their aggressive offensive plan bore fruit early, as a flurry of organized, focused offenses had Pachuca’s backline on the defensive and scrambling to reset.
Real Madrid opened the scoring on a wonderful long-range effort. This fired up the Matadors and set a physical tone that carried through the rest of the match. After going behind early, Pachuca showed great resilience and fought to etch their name on the score sheet. Real Madrid’s experienced heads coolly navigated their way through the confidence-sapping minutes that followed, and soon enough added a second and third to all but settle it.
A Pachuca player shoots goalkeeper and porteño great Cillóniz. That wasn’t nearly enough to offset the damage to the final outcome. The Mexican side showed loads of heart and talent, but they just could not match Real Madrid’s tireless attack.
The final was played out in spectacular fashion. While neither team left with the trophy, they proudly wore and defended their nations’ colors in the historic Club World Cup. Playing in Charlotte provided an opportunity for fans in the United States to witness high-level football, further promoting the sport’s growth in the region.
