Kylian Mbappe etched his name in football history, netting the first-ever goal in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
The Real Madrid superstar’s strike sealed a 1-0 victory over Mexican champions Pachuca, kicking off the tournament’s legacy in unforgettable fashion.
The goal came from a dazzling team effort. Jude Bellingham, replacing Vinicius Junior, orchestrated a clever sequence by threading a pass past Pachuca’s keeper. With perfect timing, the ball landed at Mbappe’s feet, leaving him to slot it into the net effortlessly.
This groundbreaking tournament reimagines FIFA’s club competitions. While the revamped Club World Cup will now be held every four years, the Intercontinental Cup serves as a prestigious one-off clash between Europe’s and South America’s champions.
In a poetic twist of fate, the scene unfolded at Lusail Stadium—exactly two years after Mbappe’s heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Argentina, despite his heroic hat-trick. This time, under Real Madrid’s banner, Mbappe exuded triumph, his gaze firmly set on lifting the trophy that once eluded him.
With this iconic moment, Mbappe cements his place as a legend of the beautiful game.
