Real Madrid will be the main attraction in Qatar for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, which will be played at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Los Blancos can clinch a second trophy this season after winning the UEFA Super Cup by beating Atalanta in Poland. Their opponents are yet to be determined. Egyptian club Al Ahly will face either Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo or Mexican side CF Pachuca for the right to face Madrid.
Al Ahly are Flying the Flag for Africa
Al Ahly secured the African-Asian-Pacific Cup with a victory over Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will be keen to make their mark on the world stage.
The African giants have defied the odds to reach this stage. The best betting sites in UAE were inundated with wagers on Al Ain, but Al Ahly threw a spanner in the works. A 3-0 victory in Cairo sent them through to a Challenger Cup showdown against the winner of the Derby of the Americas clash.
Botafogo booked their place in that game by defeating Atletico Mineiro to win the 65th edition of the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their 120-year history. They upset the bookies’ odds to earn their spot on the global stage. Despite playing most of the game with ten men, they overcame Atletico thanks to goals from Junior Santos, Alex Telles and Luiz Henrique.
Henrique has been one of their better performers, and his stellar form has earned him call-ups to the Brazilian national team, where he has featured under Dorival Junior. The 23-year-old will be key to their hopes of securing a date with Madrid.
Their match-up against Pachuca on December 11 will be a fascinating prelude to the main event. Sports bettors will back them to win the game and the Brazilian side should triumph.
Madrid are Favourites Despite Mounting Pressure
Madrid love winning continental and intercontinental competitions. The 15-time Champions League winners have also claimed five Club World Cup titles and three previous Intercontinental Cup trophies.
While they are specialists in high-pressure scenarios, fixture congestion and injuries threaten to complicate matters for them. They have several players sidelined, but top stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham are a formidable force.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has started experimenting with his options to solve their midfield conundrum, giving Dani Ceballos playing time to build some fitness and form. The Madrid boss watched Botafogo win the Copa Libertadores title and hopes they progress to the final.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere, I was mesmerised,” Ancelotti told Reuters. “An incredible first minute of the game, with that incredible flying kick (that earned Gregore a red card).
“Then the team’s attitude and commitment were extraordinary. They played a fantastic match down to ten men. I’m very happy for Allan who won the Libertadores with Botafogo, which is a historic team in Brazilian football.”
“For them to be able to finally win the Libertadores for the first time – yes, I was delighted! I know they still have a couple of games to fight for and reach the final but, yes, it would be great if it’s them against us.”
Madrid must manage themselves physically with a crucial La Liga clash against Sevilla around the corner. However, they have all the tools to overpower whoever they face at the 89,000 state-of-the-art Lusail Stadium.
Argentina were crowned world champions at this venue after defeating France on penalties in the final in 2022, and Madrid will be desperate to follow in their footsteps.
