Goals & Key Events
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22′ – Salem Al‑Dawsari: A clever one-two with Nasser Al‑Dawsari ended with Salem expertly chipping the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
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90+5′ – Marcos Leonardo: Finally breaking his earlier misses, Leonardo rounded the keeper and netted Al Hilal’s second deep into stoppage time, sealing their advancement.
Pachuca had shown early promise but were held at bay by a structured Al Hilal defense led by Kalidou Koulibaly, with the visitors limited to long-range efforts.
Tactical Overview & Performance
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Defensive Solidity: Koulibaly marshaled the backline, effectively neutralizing Pachuca’s main threats and preserving a clean sheet.
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Clinical Crisis Averted: While Al Hilal had several missed opportunities—including an earlier Leonardo header off-target—they managed to hold on in the tense closing minutes.
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Midfield Presence: Ruben Neves highlighted the team’s control over the match, praising their disciplined approach and defensive effort.
Group H Standings
| Team | P | W–D–L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 3 | 2–1–0 | +? | 7 |
| Al Hilal | 3 | 1–2–0 | — | 5 |
| Salzburg | 3 | 1–1–1 | — | 4 |
| Pachuca | 3 | 0–0–3 | — | 0 |
With this win, Al Hilal leapfrogged Salzburg on goal difference to finish second and secure a Round of 16 matchup with Manchester City in Orlando.
Looking Ahead: Clash with Manchester City
Mono Inzaghi’s side will face a daunting challenge when they take on Manchester City on June 30, 2025, in Orlando. Ruben Neves acknowledged:
“We are playing against, for me, one of the top three teams in the world… We'll prepare like we did in these three games.”
Post-Match
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal midfielder):
“It was a hard game but I think we did a great game … We scored first off, we had control and we defended very well.”
Al Hilal: The victory marked their first win of the tournament and confirmed their spot in the knockout rounds—an important milestone for the Saudi giants.
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Pachuca: Despite showing intent, they exit with zero points, unable to convert opportunities or penetrate a well-organized defense.
Al Hilal now gear up for a blockbuster encounter with Manchester City. It’s set to be their toughest test yet—but they’ve earned the platform to show what they’re truly capable of.
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