'Los Tuzos' become the first Mexican club ever to reach a major FIFA final, with Rondón and Idrissi among the players to watch.
With six CONCACAF Champions League and seven Liga MX titles in their trophy cabinet, Pachuca, the self-proclaimed 'team of Mexico', wants to write a new chapter in Mexican football on Wednesday.
(The Gophers) Los Tuzos are the first Mexican team to play in a major FIFA club competition, taking on Champions League holders Real Madrid in Doha.
No one saw how the Liga MX team defeated Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo with such ease in the quarter-finals, as Guillermo Almada's side needed a penalty shoot-out to defeat African champions Al Ahly in the semi-finals last Saturday beat to secure a place in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup. final.
Pachuca was far from favorite on its way to a place in the Intercontinental Cup. Hidalgo's side had to beat Club América in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League before beating highly-tipped Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final, with the 'Tuzos' flourishing after being labeled 'underdogs'.
History, youth development and big names
Pachuca is known in Mexican football for their focus on developing young talent with an acclaimed youth academy system. Elías Montiel, a talented 19-year-old attacking midfielder, is a perfect example of the quality of footballers the club produces as he starts at the Lusail Stadium on Wednesday.
The club's policy is to compliment young homegrown talent with high-profile international players. Both Oussama Idrissi and Salomón Rondón have played an important role in their progress in Qatar, with both players having extensive European football experience.
The side is led by coach Guillermo Almada and the Uruguayan has played a crucial role in improving his side in this competition despite a poor performance in the recent domestic Liga MX Apertura season. The 58-year-old coach has confirmed that he will leave the club after the Club World Cup in 2025.
Real Madrid go into Wednesday's match as solid favorites to add the Intercontinental Cup to their UEFA Super Cup triumph this season, but Pachuca is relishing the underdog role and will not be a pushover for 'Los Blancos'.
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