Pachuca's efforts to become the first CONCACAF team to make the final of the FIFA Club World Cup went to extra time but ultimately fell short Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to Copa Libertadores champion Gremio.
After an uninspiring Liga MX Apertura, Pachuca manager Diego Alonso put out a game plan that he thought would allow his team to get into a likely matchup against Real Madrid. Typically a wide-open team, Alonso returned to some of the tactics he'd tried out during the CONCACAF Champions League and played a more closed game. While that kept Gremio from registering too many dangerous chances on Oscar "Conejo" Perez's goal, it also meant few opportunities for Pachuca.