After 16 long years, the Intercontinental Cup reignites the rivalry between Pachuca and Al-Ahly, a matchup last seen in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. Back then, Pachuca delivered a thrilling comeback victory over Al-Ahly in an unforgettable classic that still echoes through football history.
Ahly secured their spot in the semifinal with a commanding 3-0 win over Asian champions Al-Ain in October, clinching the African-Asian-Pacific Cup title. The victory was powered by goals from Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali and midfield maestros Emam Ashour and Mohamed “Afsha” Magdi.
The African champions are fired up to settle the score with Pachuca, aiming to avenge their 2008 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal heartbreak when the Mexican side staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to claim a 4-2 victory in extra time.
Botafogo (BRA) vs Pachuca (MEX) | Intercontinental Cup Highlights | 12/11/2024
For Ahly, a win is about more than revenge—it’s a chance to fight for the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup title. Victory would set up a showdown with Real Madrid in the final, giving the Cairo giants an opportunity to redeem themselves after a 4-1 loss to the Spanish powerhouse in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, where Ahly ultimately secured third place.
Despite Ahly’s rich history in FIFA Club World Cups—boasting nine appearances and four third-place finishes—head coach Marcel Koller struck a tone of caution ahead of their crucial clash.
“We have the experience for these matches, but we must deliver a strong performance on the pitch,” Koller emphasized during Friday’s pre-match press conference. “We’re facing a tough opponent, as they showed in their last game. Experience alone doesn’t win matches.”
Al Ahly 3-0 Al Ain FC | Intercontinental Cup Highlights
The 64-year-old tactician acknowledged Pachuca’s impressive form but expressed confidence in his squad’s determination to advance. “Pachuca looked sharp in their previous match, but our focus is on winning and reaching the Intercontinental Cup final to take on Real Madrid.”
Koller has the luxury of a full-strength squad, bolstered by the return of top scorer Wessam Abou Ali from injury. He’ll be counting on talismanic midfielder Emam Ashour to bounce back to top form after a recent slump.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Pachuca booked their semifinal spot with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa, and Salomon Rondon sealed the win for the reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup holders.
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Real Madrid is set for Wednesday at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
Match Prediction
Pachuca earned their place in the semifinal by capitalizing on an exhausted Botafogo in the quarterfinal. The Brazilian side faced a grueling 17-hour journey to Doha, just days after clinching the Brazilian Serie A title, leaving them short on recovery time. Now, the Gophers turn their focus to African opposition, hoping to replicate their success from their only previous meeting with Al Ahly.
Interestingly, Pachuca’s matches often come alive in the second half, with four of their last six games seeing more goals scored after the break. Meanwhile, Al Ahly approach this clash after back-to-back goalless draws. However, the Cairo giants looked sharp in their dominant win over Asian champions Al Ain to secure their spot in the semifinal.
We’re tipping Al Ahly to edge out a narrow victory while keeping a clean sheet.
Prediction: Pachuca 0-1 Al Ahly
Match K.O. 19:00 Cairo local time | 12:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: Stadium 974 (ad-Dōha (Doha))
Referee: Alireza Faghani
