Pachuca secured a decisive victory over the Columbus Crew in the final of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, emerging as the champions with a resounding 3-0 win at Estadio Hidalgo on Saturday night. The match showcased Pachuca's superior quality, with the scoreline accurately reflecting their dominance throughout the game. Despite having opportunities, the Crew failed to capitalize on them, allowing Pachuca to take control and secure their victory.

The hero of the match was Salomón Rondón, who scored the crucial match-winner and added an insurance goal to seal the game for Pachuca. His contributions on the field played a significant role in their success. With this victory, Pachuca has now qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be held in various venues across the United States. They join a select group of teams, with only two spots yet to be determined among the 32 participating teams.

It should be noted that the 2022 Seattle Sounders remain the only MLS team in the modern era to have clinched the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Crew, under the leadership of head coach Wilfried Nancy, expressed their disappointment after the match, acknowledging that they fell short of their goal. Nancy praised his players' efforts but admitted that it was not enough to challenge Pachuca's superiority.

Throughout the match, Columbus had several chances to level the score but were unable to convert them into goals. Diego Rossi had an early opportunity just 15 seconds into the game but failed to find the back of the net. Alexandru Matan also missed a chance to set up an easy finish for his teammate. Ultimately, Pachuca capitalized on their opportunities, with Rondón's goal in the first half setting the tone for their victory.

Despite dealing with illness ahead of the match, the Crew did not use it as an excuse for their loss. Nancy stated that Pachuca deserved to win and commended their performance. The match highlighted the impact of Rondón, who has proved to be a reliable striker for Pachuca since his arrival, scoring crucial goals and making a significant contribution to the team's success.

For MLS, the loss adds to the familiar narrative of coming up short in continental competitions. Columbus became the eighth team to compete in a CONCACAF final since the league's inception in 1996, but they were unable to become only the fourth team to taste continental glory. Despite this, MLS has shown progress in recent years, with three MLS clubs reaching the final in the past four editions of the tournament.

In conclusion, Pachuca's dominant performance led them to victory in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup final against the Columbus Crew. The result secures Pachuca's qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup, while also highlighting the continuing challenges faced by MLS teams in international competitions.