Fifa
Doha
Oussama Idrissi scored a wonder goal and set up another as Pachuca downed Botafogo at Stadium 974 on Wednesday to move one step away from a FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Real Madrid. The Mexicans will return to Stadium 974 on Saturday to take on Egyptians Al Ahly in the FIFA Challenger Cup.
Botafogo won the Brasileirao – their second title in eight days – on Sunday and only arrived in Doha on Monday evening. After an even first half in the FIFA Derby of the Americas, in which Luiz Henrique was a bright spark for the Brazilians, Pachuca capitalised upon their opponents’ fatigue after the break.
Los Tuzos’ opener was a beauty. Bryan Gonzalez’s fine pass found Idrissi. The Morocco winger mercurially conned his way past two adversaries, before burying the ball in the bottom corner.
Botafogo had themselves to blame for the second. A defensive mix-up enabled Nelson Deossa to craft himself an opening and his shot went under the body of goalkeeper John.
Artur Jorge’s side, with key players Thiago Almada and Jefferson Savarino off the bench, began to threaten thereafter. Junior Santos blasted over following a neat lay-off from fellow substitute Tiquinho, while Savarino’s rasping strike forced Carlos Moreno into a smart save, before they were hit on the counter-attack. It culminated in Idrissi laying the ball back for Rondon, the hero of their Concacaf Champions Cup conquest, to slam home.
Botafogo coach Artur Jorge, said, "I won’t look for an excuse. Pachuca were better than us, more efficient and more capable in the second half. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we had an extraordinary year, made history.”
Scoreline
Pachuca 3 (Oussama Idrissi (50), Nelson Deossa (66), Salomon Rondon (80) bt Botafogo 0.
Player of the Match: Oussama Idrissi (Pachuca).Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa and Salomon Rondon netted as Pachuca beat Botafogo 3-0 in the FIFA Derby of the Americas to set up a showdown with Al Ahly