Inzaghi proud as Al-Hilal join 'the best' in Club World Cup knockout stage
Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal became the only Asian side to reach the Club World Cup's knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Pachuca on Thursday, finishing their Group H campaign unbeaten and setting up a round-of-16 meeting with Manchester City.
Al-Hilal showed they could compete with the best teams in the world when they held Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg to draws in their first two games under new coach Simone Inzaghi.
They have conceded just one goal in their three matches, sharing the best defensive record of the group stage with Paris St Germain and Monterrey.
Al-Hilal, majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, have signed a string of world-class players over the last two years including Neymar, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Marcos Leonardo and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Although Neymar has left the club and Mitrovic remains sidelined with a calf injury, the depth of the squad has allowed Al-Hilal to weather the pressure of the big stage.
KEY QUOTES
Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi: "Our goal was to achieve (being in) the group of the best teams in the world.
"It was not an easy task, but the team was well united. It fought during the three games for a great objective ... we were not coming here just to have fun, we were coming here to play a World Cup and we wanted to reach this stage.
"Now we'll have to play against Manchester City ... it's one of the greatest teams in the world. These are the games where you can improve and you can mature as a team, so I'm very proud."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Master meets maestro as Luis Enrique prepares PSG for Messi challenge
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Seattle Sounders v Paris St Germain - Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, U.S. - June 23, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique with Senny Mayulu before the start of the second half REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique will face former protege Lionel Messi on Sunday in a Club World Cup clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium that pits the European champions against Inter Miami's team of former Barcelona veterans. The 54-year-old Spaniard, who led PSG to the Champions League crown in May, will now be tasked with confronting the same player who helped him secure nine major titles during their distinguished three-year association at Barcelona. "I had the chance to coach Leo Messi at the peak of his game. But his peak has actually lasted 10–15 years or more," Enrique told reporters on Saturday. "That's why I'd say he's the best football player in history... I had the chance to win every possible title with him at Barcelona." However, the PSG coach warned there is more to Inter Miami than just Messi. "There's no doubt whatsoever that they have the right skills and quality," he added, noting that the American side's lineup features former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. Asked about neutralising the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Enrique stressed a collective approach. "If we want to stop Leo Messi, we can't rely on just one player because we'll be dead. We need collective defence, he can dribble past any player." Despite being favourites, PSG remain driven after lifting the Champions League trophy. "We just won the Champions League, but we're thirsty and eager to keep showing that there's room for improvement," he said. "What better place to do so than here in this amazing stadium, facing a team that includes Messi?" MASCHERANO READY FOR CHALLENGE Luis Enrique also highlighted the involvement of former mentee Javier Mascherano as the opposing coach. "He has everything it takes to become a top coach. I'm not surprised because I knew Mascherano very well as a player. He has been ready for a long time," he said. Mascherano acknowledged the scale of the task facing PSG. "We are not naive and we know that we are the weaker team, but that doesn't mean that they will kill us beforehand. We will fight," the Argentine manager told reporters. "The challenge tomorrow is to test ourselves against the best team in the world. We know how difficult the match will be." The knockout encounter represents a significant test for both sides, with PSG seeking to add global honours to their European success while Inter Miami aim to prove themselves against elite opposition. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
28 minutes ago
- CNA
Flamengo chasing life-changing dream as Bayern clash looms
MIAMI :Flamengo coach Filipe Luis said his side are preparing for more than just a football match when they face Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup last 16 on Sunday — they are chasing a dream that could redefine their careers and reshape the club's international standing. 'For the Europeans, winning this tournament may not change their lives,' Luis told reporters on Saturday ahead of the clash at the Hard Rock Stadium. 'But for us, it would.' The Brazilian side head into the match as underdogs against the six-time European champions. But Luis believes Flamengo's identity, along with the fierce competitive spirit forged in Brazil's high-pressure football culture, gives them a real chance. 'Brazilian players are extremely competitive,' he said. 'They grow up dealing with intense external pressure — from fans, from the media. That shapes a mental toughness that makes a difference in games like this.' The former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea defender, now in his first major tournament as head coach, praised Bayern's tactical discipline and intense pressing. But he insisted Flamengo would not abandon their style of play in the face of the challenge. 'Flamengo has a way of playing, a DNA, and we don't give that up,' he said. 'This is how Flamengo plays — with the ball, with courage. We're proud of that.' Luís warned that Flamengo can't rely solely on speed to break Bayern's lines. 'Their defenders are used to controlling space,' he said. 'We need to combine intensity with possession. You don't beat Bayern by just running in behind.' For Flamengo, who won the Intercontinental Cup in 1981 against Liverpool, the chance to compete on this stage is a test on neutral ground against a European powerhouse. "This debate about whether Flamengo could play the Premier League or Champions League comes up a lot. But Flamengo will never play those — we're playing the Club World Cup. It's a different context entirely," he explained. "We don't play at their stadium, they don't play at ours. Weather, pitch — it's all different. I avoid comparisons that lead nowhere. Many of our players have Champions League experience. Five were in Brazil's last squad. We also have internationals from Uruguay, Ecuador, and more."
CNA
28 minutes ago
- CNA
Extra time goals see Chelsea down 10-man Benfica to advance to quarters
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina :Chelsea scored three times in the second period of extra-time to hand 10-man Benfica a 4-1 defeat in Charlotte in their weather-affected last 16 Club World Cup clash on Saturday as the English side set up a quarter-final meeting with Brazil's Palmeiras. Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored in a nine minute spell to take Enzo Maresca's side through after the teams had been forced off the pitch for almost two hours due to a lightning storm. Chelsea had taken the lead through Reece James in the 64th minute while Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was sent off two minutes into injury time. But Angel di Maria scored from the penalty spot three minutes later to salvage a draw for the Portuguese side, taking the game into extra-time from where Chelsea eventually prevailed to set up their meeting with Palmeiras on Friday.
