With Kylian Mbappé on the scoresheet, the Spanish club secured its second trophy of the season with a 3-0 victory over CF Pachuca in Doha, Qatar. The French forward played 60 minutes on the same Lusail Stadium pitch where he scored a hat trick during the 2022 World Cup final. This time, there was no hat trick—but also no disappointment.
On the field that witnessed the unforgettable 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina (3-3 after extra time, 4-2 on penalties), Mbappé struck again, setting Real Madrid on the path to victory in the revamped Intercontinental Cup final. Exactly two years after that dramatic World Cup showdown, Mbappé found the net in a symbolic moment, scoring the opener in the 37th minute with a simple left-footed tap-in, following a precise assist from Vinícius Júnior.
While not the most spectacular goal of his career, it was rich in symbolism, showcasing the resurgence of the former PSG striker, who now has three goals in his last three matches. His participation was uncertain after a left thigh injury sustained on December 10 during a Champions League game against Atalanta Bergamo (a 3-2 victory). However, Mbappé’s rapid recovery allowed him to start, with manager Carlo Ancelotti making the final call just a day before the match.
Against Pachuca, Mbappé played for an hour and delivered a solid performance, highlighted by his first-half goal. Real Madrid controlled the game with minimal effort, shaking off some initial pressure from the Mexican side in the opening ten minutes. In the second half, Mbappé set up Rodrygo, who dazzled with dribbles before curling a brilliant shot into the net for the second goal in the 53rd minute. Vinícius Júnior sealed the victory with an 84th-minute penalty.
Calm and composed, Real Madrid secured their 20th win in the last 21 continental or intercontinental finals—a record of dominance. This was their second trophy of the season, following their UEFA Super Cup triumph in August, where Mbappé also scored. The French forward’s early successes with Real Madrid bode well for his tenure, though a deeper analysis of his individual contributions is warranted. Collectively, however, Mbappé continues to add to his trophy cabinet. Two years after the heartbreak of Lusail, he has begun to rewrite his story on the same stage.