DOHA, Qatar – CF Pachuca tied nil-nil with Al Ahly FC, winning the FIFA Challenger Cup 6-5 on penalty kicks, as part of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Saturday at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar.
The reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners outlasted their counterparts after a stalemate through extra time. Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno stood out with several crucial saves, including one in the penalty shootout to force sudden death.
Moreno began the day with early heroics in the 13’ to deny a potent attempt from long distance by Taher Mohamed.
Oussama Idrissi displayed his fancy footwork for a second consecutive match in the 23’ to work his way into the penalty area for a shot towards goal but was blocked by Omar Kamal. Salomon Rondon struck off the rebound but was wide of the crossbar.
Idrissi had an attempt from outside the box in the 26’ but was off target as the Tuzos offense began generating more chances.
Moreno punched away a menacing ball in the 45’+6 to deny Marwan Attia and keep the match even through halftime.
Nelson Deossa, who came on to start the second half, attempted in the 53’ as the Mexican club looked to jumpstart its offense.
Idrissi struck with power from long range in the 84’ to force a save from Mohamed El Shenawy.
Deossa had another strike from distance in the 89’ as he sought to end the deadlock, but both sides would remain scoreless through full time and play extra time.
Ángel Mena had a look inside the box in the 98’ but could not get a clean shot with two defenders on his trail.
Moreno continued his stellar form into the 103’ to deny Mohamed Afsha. The Pachuca shot stopper made another critical save in the 105’ to deny Kahraba.
Rondon had a menacing header towards goal in the 119’, connecting on a service from extra time substitute Faber Gil, but could not get it on target as the match ended nil-nil, to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Pachuca withstood failing its two first attempts in the shootout, striking six consecutive conversions to come back and win on sudden death.
Moreno saved the fifth Al Ahly attempt as Pachuca advances to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final to meet Real Madrid CF, the 2024 UEFA Champions League winners, on Wednesday at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.
