Morocco's Idrissi on target as Pachuca cruise past Botafogo in Intercontinental Cup

Mexican club set up semi-final clash against Egypt's Al Ahly with Real Madrid awaiting in title match

Players of Pachuca pose with a trophy after winning the so-called 'Derby of the Americas' after the Fifa Intercontinental Cup 2024 quarter-final match with Botafogo. EPA

Pachuca's players celebrate with the trophy. AFP

Botafogo fans cry as they watch the match against Mexico's Pachuca at the historical headquarters of Botafogo, named General Severiano, in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Pachuca's Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon celebrates scoring. AFP

Pachuca's Salomon Rondon celebrates with his medal. Reuters

Pachuca's Nelson Deossa celebrates after scoring. AP

Pachuca's Oussama Idrissi celebrates after scoring the opening goal. AP

Oussama Idrissi of Pachuca celebrates with teammates. EPA

Mexico's Pachuca swept aside Brazilian double winners Botafogo in Doha on Wednesday to seal a semi-final spot in Fifa's Intercontinental Cup.

Second-half strikes from Pachuca's Dutch-Moroccan talisman Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa and former Everton striker Salomon Rondon gave the North American continental champions victory over their South American counterparts.

"It was really emotional. It was a party in the stadium with all the supporters from Pachuca and Botafogo that came here. It was a football party," said Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada.

"We're very happy. We're already thinking about the next game, which could be even more difficult than this one."

Pachuca now progress to the next round of the new Intercontinental Cup format, where they will meet CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt on Saturday. Real Madrid, the current Uefa Champions League holders, lie in wait in the final four days later on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.

The tournament is an adaptation of Fifa's old Club World Cup which has now been replaced by an expanded competition which will take place in the US in the summer of 2025.

Pachuca qualified for the tournament as victors of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup following their 3-0 win in the final against MLS side Columbus Crew in early June.

Wednesday night's defeat put a dampener on a brilliant fortnight for Botafogo in which they won the Copa Libertadores and wrapped up the Brazilian Serie A title.

"I won't look for an excuse. Pachuca were better than us, more efficient and more capable in the second half," said Botafogo coach Artur Jorge.

The 52-year-old Portuguese guided the Rio club to a first ever Libertadores and a first domestic league title since 1995 this year.

"It wasn't the result we wanted, but we had an extraordinary year, made history," he added.

The first chance of the tie came on eight minutes, but Pachuca's Elias Montiel panicked when through on goal and dragged his right-footed effort wide of the post. Rondon then worked Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor moments later.

As the first half wore on, Botafogo dominated the ball but it was Pachuca who always looked the more likely to score, mustering two shots on target to their opponents' none.

The Concacaf champions broke the deadlock at Stadium 974, a venue at the World Cup two years ago, on 50 minutes when Idrissi weaved into the box and exchanged passes with Bryan Gonzalez inside the box before dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

Stirred into action, Botafogo went looking for an equaliser and Pachuca keeper Carlos Moreno was forced into action, diving full length to push a drive from distance behind for a corner.

Substitute Deossa doubled Pachuca's lead 24 minutes from time with an effort from a tight angle that squeezed under goalkeeper John.

The game was made safe in the 80th minute when Rondon swept home following a rapid counter-attack by the Mexicans as Botafogo pressed forward desperately seeking a way back into the tie.