Carlo Ancelotti breaks Real Madrid trophy record as Pachuca brushed aside in Intercontinental Cup final | OneFootball

A 15th major trophy across his two spells in charge makes the Italian the most decorated coach in Los Blancos history

Carlo Ancelotti became the most successful coach in Real Madrid history as his side easily brushed aside Pachuca 3-0 to win the inaugural Fifa Intercontinental Cup final.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr were both on the scoresheet on their respective returns to the starting lineup on Wednesday night as the Concacaf Champions Cup winners from Mexico proved no match for the Uefa Champions League holders in Qatar, with Rodrygo also netting on another memorable occasion for Los Blancos.

Victory in Qatar also followed up Ancelotti scooping the prize for top coach at the 2024 FIFA The Best Awards on Tuesday, with Vinicius Jr named as best men’s player following his Ballon d’Or snub in October that led to the whole club boycotting the ceremony.

On target: Kylian Mbappe’s 13th goal of the season helped Real Madrid on their way to victory

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Mbappe missed the weekend draw away at Rayo Vallecano that dropped Madrid to third in LaLiga with a thigh issue suffered after scoring early in the Champions League win against Atalanta, but was deemed fit enough to start back at the Lusail Stadium - scene of his scintillating hat-trick that proved so painfully in vain in an unforgettable 2022 World Cup showpiece between France and Argentina.

But this time Mbappe was on the winning side, tapping home from close range late in the first half after Real Madrid came alive following a notably lacklustre opening to proceedings amid a subdued atmosphere, fine work in midfield seeing the ever-influential Jude Bellingham play in Vinicius Jr, who went round goalkeeper Carlos Moreno with a couple of eye-catching stepovers before squaring accurately for his team-mate to score with their first shot on target of the night.

That lead was promptly doubled early in the second half when Rodrygo twisted and turned on the edge of the Pachuca box after more stylish passing football, eventually shifting inside and unleashing an unstoppable effort beyond Moreno.

Pachuca were incensed that an offside Bellingham appeared to be in the goalkeeper’s line of sight as he ducked just before Rodrygo’s strike, but the goal eventually stood after Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela took several long looks at the replays after being sent by the VAR to consult the pitchside monitor and deemed that the England star was not interfering with play.

Finishing touches: Vinicius Jr’s late penalty wrapped up a comfortable victory for Los Blancos in Qatar

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There were plenty of chances at both ends and Pachuca briefly threatened a comeback - captain Salomon Rondon powering a header narrowly over the crossbar - before Vinicius Jr, who could have had a hatful of goals in the second half, wrapped up Real Madrid’s latest trophy win from the penalty spot, squeezing his effort in off the hand of Moreno after referee Valenzuela was again sent to the monitor after Oussama Idrissi’s risky challenge inside the box on stand-in captain Lucas Vazquez.

Pachuca thought they had netted a consolation goal in stoppage time, only for substitute Angel Mena’s header to be quickly ruled out for offside.

A tough night for the Mexican giants, but still a week to be proud of after they lifted trophies in both the ‘Derby of the Americas’ after a shock heavy win over Copa Libertadores holders Botafogo of Brazil and the ‘Challenger Cup’ as they held their nerve to overcome CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly on penalties after a goalless draw.