After a goalless draw in regular and extra time, Ahly took an early 2-0 lead in the shootout following misses from Pachuca's Salomon Rondon and Borja Baston. With the score at 3-2, Mahmoud Kahraba and Omar Kamal failed to convert their spot-kicks, handing Pachuca a lifeline.

Khaled Abdel-Fattah then struck the bar, denying Ahly a victory that seemed within grasp.

In nine previous appearances in the Club World Cup, now revamped as the Intercontinental Cup, Ahly have claimed four bronze medals but never progressed beyond the semifinals. Marcel Koller's men will now set their sights on next summer's Club World Cup.

Ahly started the match strongly, controlling possession and forcing Pachuca onto the back foot. Taher Mohamed Taher tested the goalkeeper with a long-range effort in the 12th minute, while Hussein El Shahat and Emam Ashour also had shots on target.

Ahly's best chance came in the 36th minute when Wessam About Ali found Taher unmarked at the far post, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Pachuca's only real opportunity of the first half fell to Rondon, who blasted over the bar after Oussama Idrissi's effort was deflected into his path.

The Egyptians lost their momentum in the second half, allowing the Mexicans to push forward.

Rondon and Idrissi both tested Mohamed El Shennawy in the Ahly goal, but the goalkeeper was equal to their efforts.

Koller attempted to revitalize his attack by introducing Mohamed "Afsha", Mahmoud Kahraba, Khaled Abdel-Fattah, and Percy Tau, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

Kahraba had a golden chance in extratime but he failed to beat the keeper from point blank.

The two teams were extra-cautious till the end before resorting to penalties.