Al-Hilal becomes only team outside Europe, the Americas in Club World Cup knockout stage
Advertisement
Salem Aldawsari and Marcus Leonardo scored against the Mexican club as Al-Hilal became the only team outside Europe and the Americas to advance out of group play.
Aldawsari, attacking from the left, scored in the 22nd minute with the ball bouncing off his right foot and soaring over the head of Pachuca goalie Sebastian Jurado to the right side of the goal.
As Pachuca kept trying to keep the pace up, Leonardo scored his first goal of the tournament in the last minute of added time, dribbling swiftly past Jurado and sending a left-footed shot in to secure Al-Hilal's spot in the round of 16.
Al-Hilal showed they could compete with the best teams in the world when they held Real Madrid – who also qualified from the group – and Red Bull Salzburg to draws in their first two games under new coach Simone Inzaghi.
Marcos Leonardo scored Al-Hilal's second goal in added time. Photo: AFP
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
A win for Hong Kong? Hotel offers rooms celebrating city's football team
Ever wanted to spend the night with the Hong Kong football team? Well, here's your chance. The city's football bosses have teamed up with the Park Lane Hong Kong hotel to create three themed guestrooms, and a photography exhibit capturing important moments from the team's history. Fans can go to sleep under the watchful gaze of their heroes, with their heads on Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) pillows and with branded slippers to keep their feet warm. The question, of course, is which one would you pick? The Dragon in Red Premium Room, which takes its inspiration from Hong Kong's first game at Kai Tak Stadium, when 42,000 watched the win over India? The 'Dragon in Red Premium Room' at the Park Lane. Photo: HKFA Or, for the serious supporter, there is the We Are the Hong Kong Boys Family Room, a chance to get into the spirit of things ahead of next week's East Asian Football Championship in South Korea.
RTHK
10 hours ago
- RTHK
Dortmund down Monterrey to reach Club WC last eight
Dortmund down Monterrey to reach Club WC last eight Serhou Guirassy scored twice for the Bundesliga side in the victory. Photo: Reuters Serhou Guirassy continued his superb form to fire Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 win over Sergio Ramos' Monterrey and into the Club World Cup quarter-finals. The striker scored twice in the first half and Bundesliga powerhouses Dortmund then held off the Mexican side in a battling second after German Berterame's quick strike. Former Real Madrid great Ramos had a golden chance to equalise at the end but headed wide, meaning it is Dortmund who go on to face the Spanish giants in the last eight after they beat Juventus earlier on. After grinding through several games in the blazing afternoon sun during the group stage, Dortmund were grateful to be at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium and played at a faster pace in Atlanta. Monterrey coach Domenec Torrent warned his side they had to defend diligently to have a hope of beating Dortmund, but the Germans picked the locks too easily to open the scoring in the 14th minute. Guirassy exchanged quick passes with Karim Adeyemi on the edge of the box to confuse defender Jorge Rodríguez, and then tucked a slick finish home at the near post. The 29-year-old Guinea international, who finished as joint-top scorer in the Uefa Champions League this season, netted his second 10 minutes later. Jesus Corona came close to levelling by accident in between, but his cross bounced back off the post. Guirassy climbed to 37 goals for the season across all competitions as he was once more teed up by the darting Adeyemi, stroking home from the edge of the box. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac anticipated Monterrey playing with aggression but his side put in the harder tackles in the first half and Jobe Bellingham was booked for needlessly flying in on Colombian playmaker Nelson Deossa. It means he will not be able to face his older brother Jude Bellingham in the quarter-final showdown against Real. Guirassy let Monterrey off the hook when he might have netted a third and Adeyemi's touch was loose when he got in behind. (AFP)
RTHK
14 hours ago
- RTHK
Real Madrid into Club WC quarters with win over Juve
Real Madrid into Club WC quarters with win over Juve Gonzalo Garcia scored the only goal of the match for the Spanish giants. Photo: Reuters Gonzalo Garcia's 54th-minute header was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus at Hard Rock Stadium and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. The Spanish giants will face the winner of Tuesday's other game between Borussia Dortmund and Mexico's Monterrey in the last eight. It was an impressive display from Xabi Alonso's Madrid side and adding to a positive day, Kylian Mbappe made his return from illness, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for his first appearance of the tournament. The first half was a finely-balanced contest with Igor Tudor's Juventus starting brightly before Real ended it on top. There was an early chance for Juve's Randal Kolo Muani after clever work from Kenan Yildiz to put him through on goal, but the French forward opted for an attempted chip of Thibaut Courtois and his shot floated over the bar. The impressive Yildiz then burst through the middle and unleashed a fierce effort which deflected off Aurelien Tchouameni and flew wide. The Turin team, beaten 5-2 by Manchester City in their final group game, were moving the ball around with confidence but Real grew into the contest and they went close when Jude Bellingham forced a save out of Michele Di Gregorio from close range. Federico Valverde then tested the Juve goalkeeper from long range and Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped a low ball across the face of the goal as Madrid finished the half strongly. The interval did nothing to alter the momentum of the game with Real creating several chances – Bellingham laid off to Valverde, whose sweetly-struck shot was just wide and then Bellingham himself brought another good save out of Di Gregorio with a shot from the edge of the box. Dean Huijsen's rocketing drive was parried out by the busy goalkeeper as Real laid siege to the Juventus goal and it was no surprise when the breakthrough finally arrived. (AFP)
