Pachuca, the rival that Real Madrid will face twice in six months, first in the Intercontinental Cup final and then in the second matchday of the new Club World Cup, will become the fourth Mexican team to face the Madridistas in an official match. Following encounters against Necaxa, Cruz Azul, and América, the record stands at two victories and one penalty shootout loss for the Spanish team.

Pachuca emerges as a new FIFA-sanctioned official opponent in Real Madrid's history and will do so in back-to-back clashes. The Mexican team earned its place in the Intercontinental Cup final, scheduled for December 18, 2024, and will also participate in the revamped Club World Cup next summer.

On June 22, 2025, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Real Madrid and Pachuca will meet again to settle unfinished business in the second matchday of Group H in the Club World Cup. Before that, their first encounter will take place at the Lusail Stadium, with Real Madrid carrying mixed memories from previous matches against Mexican teams.

Historical Matches Against Mexican Teams

The first clash was a bitter one for the Spanish team. It happened against Necaxa during the inaugural Club World Cup under its new format, held in Brazil in January 2000. Real Madrid defeated Al Nassr 3-1, with a brace from Nicolás Anelka and a goal from Raúl González, but then drew 2-2 with Corinthians, missing a penalty by Anelka in the final nine minutes that could have secured victory.

A 3-2 win over Raja Casablanca proved insufficient. Goals by Fernando Hierro, Fernando Morientes, and Geremi were not enough to reach the final. Due to goal difference, Real Madrid missed out and had to play the third-place match against the Mexican team.

Managed by Vicente del Bosque, Real Madrid did not rotate its squad significantly, but with its focus already on La Liga, the team could only manage a 1-1 draw. Raúl’s early volley was later equalized by Agustín Delgado, and misses in the penalty shootout by Steve McManaman and Javier Dorado left the Spanish side in fourth place, far from their goal.

Fourteen years passed before Real Madrid faced another Mexican team in an official match, and this time the result was different. Fresh off winning the Champions League, the European kings had learned from past mistakes and dominated Cruz Azul in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.

Iker Casillas shut down the Mexican team’s attempts at a comeback, while goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Isco Alarcón sealed a commanding 4-0 victory in Marrakech. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid secured their first Club World Cup title, adding to their three Intercontinental Cups after defeating Argentina's San Lorenzo in the final.

Two years later, Real Madrid returned to the Club World Cup and faced another Mexican rival, América, in the semifinals. The match lacked spectacle, impacted by the long journey to Yokohama (Japan), but goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, scored just before halftime and in stoppage time, respectively, secured a 2-0 win. With experience and composure, Real Madrid again emerged victorious, clinching the championship after defeating Japan’s Kashima Antlers in the final.