The Only Mexican Team to Beat Real Madrid
In the Intercontinental Cup final, Pachuca will become the fourth Mexican team to face Real Madrid in an official match. Only one has managed to beat them.
Pachuca is set to become the fourth Mexican team to face Real Madrid in official FIFA competitions. The two sides will meet twice within six months—first in the final of the Intercontinental Cup on December 18, 2024, and then during the second matchday of Group H at the restructured Club World Cup on June 22, 2025, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. These encounters will add to Real Madrid's mixed history against Mexican clubs.
Necaxa
Real Madrid’s first official clash with a Mexican side ended in disappointment. During the inaugural Club World Cup in Brazil in January 2000, Real Madrid faced Necaxa in the third-place match. After failing to qualify for the final due to goal difference, they drew 1-1 against Necaxa, with Raúl González scoring for Madrid before Agustín Delgado equalized. A penalty shootout saw Steve McManaman and Javier Dorado miss their spot-kicks, handing Necaxa the victory and leaving Real Madrid in fourth place.
Cruz Azul
Fourteen years later, Real Madrid faced Cruz Azul in the semifinals of the 2014 Club World Cup in Marrakech. With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Madrid dominated the game, securing a 4-0 victory with goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Isco Alarcón. This triumph marked the beginning of Real Madrid’s successful campaign, culminating in their first Club World Cup title under the current format.
América
Two years later, in the 2016 Club World Cup, Real Madrid encountered América in the semifinals. The game, played in Yokohama, Japan, was a challenging affair due to the team's fatigue from travel. Nonetheless, goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-0 win for Los Blancos. Real Madrid went on to defeat Kashima Antlers in the final, adding another Club World Cup trophy to their collection.
Pachuca now joins this list, with Real Madrid hoping to maintain their dominant record over Mexican clubs after their initial setback against Necaxa.
