Real Madrid: 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Champions

 

Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca

Goals: Kylian Mbappe (37), Rodrygo (53), Vinicius Jr (84 pen)

Real Madrid are the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™ champions after beating Pachuca 3-0 in Wednesday’s final.

Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr were on target for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who rounded off a superb year in style at Lusail Stadium.

Exactly two years after scoring a hat-trick at the same venue in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ final, Mbappe applied the finishing touch to a slick team move to put Madrid in front. Jude Bellingham played in Vinicius Jr, who produced some dazzling footwork to take the ball around Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, before squaring for the Frenchman to slot into an empty net.

Pachuca had, in fact, started the game brightly and Luis Rodriguez fired an early warning shot, but Thibaut Courtois was equal to his powerful drive.

Madrid, however, gradually started to stamp their authority on the game and, after Mbappe put them ahead, the striker almost made it 2-0 when he rifled a 20-yard shot just past the post.

Madrid would double their advantage just after half-time, with Rodrygo curling home wonderful effort from the edge of the penalty area. There was a VAR review as Bellingham was standing in an offside position when Rodrygo took aim, but the referee judged he was not interfering.

Pachuca, to their credit, refused to buckle and captain Salomon Rondon saw a sweetly struck free-kick well saved by Courtois. The veteran striker then went even closer to reducing the deficit when his header went inches over the bar.

Madrid, however, put the game beyond doubt late in the piece. Vinicius – fresh from being named The Best FIFA Men’s Player on Tuesday night – converted an 84th-minute penalty to crown a dream trip to Qatar for the Brazilian.

Quotes

“I am very happy, it is natural. We did the things we prepared and this made the difference. Everyone played a good match, I am very happy. It was a match that in the middle of the season could have caused problems and instead we deservedly won it."

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach

"These two days have been incredible for me. Yesterday, I received the award for best player in the world – and today I came here and won and was named the best player of the match.”

Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid forward

"I've been following Vini since when he started in Brazil. We never played against each other in the professional league, only with youth teams. We've always talked about all the difficulties he had in the beginning. He is an example of resilience, for everything he went through, and now he has become the best player in the world. I’m always happy for my friend's achievements, especially after seeing his work every day.”

Rodrygo, Real Madrid forward

"We had our chances, but their efficiency was decisive. We had opportunities and couldn’t capitalise on them. Many young players gained their first international experience throughout the tournament. It was an amazing experience. Of course, we wanted to win the final, but the effort was outstanding."

Guillermo Almada, Pachuca coach

Award winners

Aramco Player of the Tournament: Vinicius Jr

adidas Golden Ball: Vinicius Jr

adidas Silver Ball: Federico Valverde

adidas Bronze Ball: Elias Montiel

UNLV: 2024 LA Bowl Champions

 

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The UNLV football team earned its first bowl victory since 2000, defeating Cal 24-13 in the LA Bowl on Wednesday at SoFi Stadium.

The Rebels (11-3) capped arguably the greatest season in program history and now head into the offseason under new coach Dan Mullen. Wide receivers coach Del Alexander served as the interim coach against Cal (6-7).

Freshman wide receiver Kayden McGee caught a 49-yard touchdown, the first of his career, in the first quarter, and senior wide receiver Jacob De Jesus had a 9-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter as UNLV took a 14-13 halftime lead.

De Jesus’ touchdown was set up by a spectacular 52-yard reception on a fake punt by senior defensive back Cameron Oliver.

Senior running back Kylin James scored on a 23-yard run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 21-13.

Freshman Caden Chittenden made a 48-yard field goal with 6:01 to play to give UNLV some breathing room at 24-13.

The Rebels’ last bowl win came against Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2000.

James Madison: 2024 Boca Raton Bowl Champions

 

In an electrifying showdown at this year’s Boca Raton Bowl, the James Madison Dukes etched their name in history with their first-ever win at the event, defeating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 27-17. The thrilling matchup kept fans on the edge of their seats, culminating in a triumphant celebration for JMU.

Despite the setback of starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III not in action due to an injury sustained against Marshall, the Dukes were up to the challenge.

The JMU defense was very instrumental in the team’s success with three takeaways, which is the fifth time this season they’ve achieved that feat.

Wright, primarily known for his blocking, made his first catch of the season in spectacular fashion, fooling the defense with a perfectly executed fake.

The Dukes’ second-half surge started with wildcat quarterback JC Evans, who guided a 11-play, 71-yard drive. Evans completed it with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyi Wright, making it a 14-14 contest.

It was Gannon Weathersby’s third-quarter fumble recovery that marked a complete turn of events, stopping any momentum by Western Kentucky and allowing the Dukes to dominate through the second half.

Backup quarterback Billy Atkins, who had combined for just three pass attempts over the past two years, turned in the performance of a lifetime. Atkins’ fourth-quarter heroics included a 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Thompson that sealed the deal and gave the Dukes a decisive 24-17 lead.

This victory seals an amazing 9-4 season for the Dukes, who time and time again prove themselves in the biggest of games. The historic win solidifies James Madison’s football program as an emerging power. On the other hand, Western Kentucky closes out the season 8-6 and has gained important experience for the future.

While fans are celebrating JMU’s victory, speculation for next year’s Boca Raton Bowl is already starting to build. With the changes on the team, such as the new coaching staff and incoming transfers, could UCF qualify for the Boca Raton Bowl next year? Only time will tell, but for now, the stage belongs to the James Madison Dukes, who have claimed their place as the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl champions.

Memphis: 2024 Frisco Bowl Champions

 

On Tuesday night at Toyota Stadium, the No. 25 Memphis Tigers football team defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers, 42-37, to win the Frisco Bowl.

The Tigers finish the season with an 11-2 overall record. This team's accomplishments have been sensational. Their 11 victories are the second-most wins in a season in their program history.

The Tigers scored 21 of their 42 points in the second quarter. Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan was named the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl Offensive MVP after completing 18-of-26 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

Not only did Henigan torture the Mountaineers with his arms, but he did it with his legs as well. Hanigan rushed for 61 yards on eight carries. 

Wide receiver Demeer Blankumsee led the team with 120 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Late in the second quarter, Blankumsee caught an 18-yard touchdown pass that put the Tigers up 28-14.

The Tigers led as many as 35-17 in this game. West Virginia didn’t quit. They scored 13 straight points. Every time the Tigers would score, the Mountaineers would answer back in the second half.

Both quarterbacks, Henigan and Garrett Greene traded explosive plays after explosive plays.

However, the Mountaineers ran out of time. The game ended pretty wild, with the officials ruling that Herring was sliding when he lost the ball, thus marking himself down after giving himself up. 

Mountaineers finished the year with a 6-7 record. Greene went 29 of 40 completions with two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 96 yards. His longest was a 56-yard play run. 

Running back CJ Donaldson Jr rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Hudson Clement had 166 yards on 11 receptions with two touchdowns. 

Henigan achieved an achievement in this game. He reached 14,000 career passing yards, moving him to No. 13 in NCAA history. He concluded his career with 14,266 yards. 

Zenless Misadventures, Day 13

#ZZZ #Miyabi #Harumasa