Julius Okorie
FIFA best player Vinicius Jr was on target Wednesday as Real Madrid won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 in a largely one-sided final.
The Carlo Ancelotti tutored side did just enough to win comfortably and never looked likely to cede control despite allowing the CONCACAF champions to threaten occasionally from counter-attacks at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Champions League winners opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a fine team goal that started with Jude Bellingham passing to Vinicius Jr, who ran past the goalkeeper before putting it on a plate for Mbappe, who tapped it into the empty net.
Rodrygo extended their lead with a lovely effort in the 52nd minute when he beat two defenders before cutting back inside and curling a fine strike into the top corner with his right foot.
Vinicius Jr wrapped up an easy win for Real from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Oussama Idrissi fouled captain Lucas Vazquez inside the box.
Having won three trophies in the original Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor to the current format that pitched the European and South American champions against each other, and five Club World Cups, Real have now won a combined total of nine global titles.
“We are very happy for another title,” Rodrygo told Spanish television channel Telecinco.
“I was a bit anxious with the goal because Jude (Bellingham) was in front of the goalkeeper but he doesn’t interfere with the play, so I’m happy to help the team.
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“Vinicius is great, he is playing really well right now and we are pleased to have him with us. We have a great team and we are delighted.”
Both Vinicius Jnr and Coach Ancelotti were winners in the FIFA Best Awards held on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Vinicius has taken a swipe at his critics after winning FIFA best player award, accusing them of trying to belittle him.
The 24 year old had hoped of winning the Ballon d Or which was clinched by Manchester City’s Rodri, with Vinicius and Real Madrid boycotting the show.
Incidentally the table turned at the FIFA Best Award as national team coaches and captains, journalists, and fans voted to had the Brazilian 48 points, ahead of Manchester City midfielder Rodri who earned 43 points and Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham with 37 points respectively.
An elated Vicicius Jnr said “Today I write to the child who has seen so many idols lift that trophy,” Vinícius posted on Instagram. “His time has come. Or rather, my time has come. The time to say … yes, I am the best player in the world and I have fought hard for it.
“They have tried and tried to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they are not ready. No one is going to tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave. When I was at São Gonçalo, the system didn’t care about me. It almost swallowed me up.
“I won for myself, for my family. With a lot of support along the way: Flamengo, Real Madrid, the Brazilian national team, my hundreds of teammates over the years … the people who accompany me every day in my routine, those who admire me … The best player in the world.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
