Al-Hilal to Clash with Manchester City in Orlando

NASHVILLE: Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia has advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup’s Round of 16 after a convincing 2-0 victory against Mexico’s CF Pachuca at Geodis Park on Thursday.

Al-Hilal asserted dominance early in the match, securing goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo.

Al-Dawsari initiated the scoring in the 22nd minute, executing a remarkable lob over Pachuca’s goalkeeper, Sebastian Jurado, which followed a precise assist.

Marcos Leonardo solidified the triumph in stoppage time, concluding a rapid counterattack initiated by Ruben Neves.

Despite their attempts, Pachuca faced difficulties in gaining traction against Al-Hilal’s robust defense. Consequently, the Mexican team was eliminated from the competition without securing any points.

Al-Hilal concluded Group H undefeated, showcasing a defensive performance comparable to tournament favorites Paris Saint-Germain and Monterrey, conceding only one goal throughout the group matches.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou played a crucial role, delivering two significant saves to preserve a clean sheet, underscoring Al-Hilal’s defensive capabilities.

Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Simone Inzaghi, the Saudi Pro League champions are preparing for a significant Round of 16 encounter against Manchester City in Orlando on Monday.

Inzaghi conveyed his pride in the team’s showing and reiterated their overarching goals.

Inzaghi’s Quote

“We were not simply participating; our intention was to compete in the World Cup,” Inzaghi stated.

“We are now set to face one of the premier teams globally. These matches foster growth.”