Only Asian Team in Round of 16: Al Hilal edge Pachuca in decisive clash
Real Madrid’s emphatic win over Salzburg earlier in the day paved the way for Al Hilal to make a historic push for the Round of 16 in Group H of the Club World Cup. The Saudi giants seized the moment, beating Pachuca 2-0 in a high-stakes decider to clinch second place.
Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring with a moment of pure finesse — a delicate lob over the advancing goalkeeper that showcased the winger’s trademark flair and composure under pressure.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it was Michael Leonardo who delivered the final blow. The Brazilian forward broke free and coolly slotted past Óscar Murillo, sealing a vital win that sent the Saudi side through to the knockout stage.
Al Hilal finished the group with five points, leapfrogging Red Bull Salzburg and booking a blockbuster Round of 16 encounter with none other than Manchester City.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Al Hilal SFC - Pachuca 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Al-Dawsari, 22 (1:0); Leonardo M., 90 (2:0)
Al Hilal SFC: Bounou; Koulibaly K.; Renan Lodi (Al-Harbi, 71); Al-Dawsari N.; Cancelo (Al-Yami H., 86); Tambakti (Lajami, 77); Ruben Neves; Milinković-Savić S.; Al-Dawsari (Kanno, 76); Leonardo M.; Malcom (Al-Juwayr, 86)
Bench: Al-Yami M.; Al Dawsari Kh.; Al-Bulayhi; Al-Shahrani; Al-Ghannam; Al-Qahtani; Cesar Kaio; Al Hamdan
Yellow Cards: Renan Lodi 45; Koulibaly K. 52
Pachuca: Jurado; Barreto (González Br., 57); Aceves; Bauermann; Sánchez Car. (Hernández I., 77); Pereira Fed.; Montiel; Kenedy (Bautista, 63); Domínguez Al. (Hurtado, 57); Palavecino (Pedraza, 77); Rondón
Bench: Moreno C.; Cabral; Rodriguez L.; Berlanga; Homenchenko; Rodríguez E.; Luna; López J. E.; Guzmán; Kennedy
Yellow Cards: Barreto 17; Domínguez Al. 45
