Soccer

Kylian Mbappe helps Real Madrid to Intercontinental Cup glory

The 25-year-old was on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win against Mexican side Pachuca.

Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates his goal (Hussein Sayed/AP)
Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates his goal (Hussein Sayed/AP) (Hussein Sayed/AP)
By PA Sport Staff

Kylian Mbappe helped fire Real Madrid to Intercontinental Cup glory with a goal in a 3-0 win over Pachuca.

The 25-year-old had been a fitness worry having suffered a thigh injury during last week’s Champions League win over Atalanta.

Mbappe missed Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga, but was deemed fit enough to travel to Qatar.

The France striker came in for criticism earlier this month after failing to convert penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao.

But at the Lusail Stadium, Mbappe took his tally to 13 goals in 23 appearances for Real since joining from Paris St Germain.

Rodrygo added a spectacular second and Vinicius Jr scored a late penalty to secure a 15th trophy for boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Mexican outfit Pachuca had defeated Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo 3-0 and edged past Egyptian side Al Ahly on penalties to reach the final.

They created the first chance of the showpiece match when Luis Rodriguez forced a save from Thibaut Courtois after seven minutes.

Oussama Idrissi had a shot blocked and Alan Bautista fired over the top as the underdogs threatened to take a shock lead.

But Real went ahead in style after 37 minutes following a flowing move started by Jude Bellingham.

The England midfielder’s incisive ball forward played in Vinicius, who, in a whirl of stepovers, rounded Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno on the outside.

The Brazilian pulled the ball back across goal to leave Mbappe with a simple tap-in to give his side the lead.

Mbappe and Federico Valverde sent efforts narrowly wide and Bellingham’s header was also off target as Real pushed for a second.

It came eight minutes into the second half when Rodrygo twisted and turned on the edge of the box before launching an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 20 yards.

Courtois was back in action to repel Bryan Gonzalez’s drive and then kept out an effort from 35-year-old former West Brom and Everton striker Salomon Rondon.

But with six minutes remaining Lucas Vazquez was tripped in the area by Idrissi and Vinicius stepped up to fire home from the spot and wrap up the victory.