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Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Established order prevails at Club World Cup as minnows make little impact
MIAMI - The occasional threat of an upset result at the Club World Cup handed hope to the minnows of the world game but in the end the established order prevailed at the conclusion of the first round of the tournament in the U.S. All but three of the teams through to the knockout stages are from Europe and South America with the field for the last-16 settled after the last group-stage matches on Thursday. Among the last to qualify was Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, but the Riyadh-based side is littered with players expensively purchased from European clubs like the Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and ex-Brazil international Malcom. Also through are Monterrey from Mexico and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi is the kingpin in a side filled with former Barcelona stalwarts. But for the rest, it was a disappointing return from clubs from other continents. Al-Hilal held Real Madrid to a draw in their opening game and won a decisive clash with Pachuca of Mexico on Thursday to advance, but it was one of only two matches won by Asian clubs in the first round out of a total of 12 played. Africa had similarly disappointing statistics. Its four representatives went home with a combined total of two wins in 12 outings. 'It is a big step up for the players,' said Miguel Cardoso of South Africa champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who collected four points but still finished third in Group F. 'The level of competition is just that little bit higher than what the players are used to,' the coach added. EXPERIENCES 'These experiences will stay with us hopefully for the coming games we play,' said Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer as his side make a quick return to Major League Soccer action at Austin on Saturday after playing Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and European champions Paris St Germain. 'There were a lot of similarities in the style and approach to the game between us and the powerful clubs we played against. But you have to factor in that their players are playing at a much higher level.' Egypt's Al Ahly and Tunisia's Esperance also brought plenty of fans and helped create atmosphere in the large stadiums but went home without achieving their ambition of progressing to the last-16. 'The moment that you drop a little bit your level against this quality of opponents, you pay a price,' added Jose Riveiro, coach of Cairo giants Al Ahly who had a rollicking 4-4 draw with Porto in their last group game. But he said competing at the Club World Cup was a special experience. 'The players have the opportunity to showcase their talent and a fantastic platform to do it. 'It's a special occasion for sure something that, well, you don't always have the opportunity to be involved in,' Riveiro said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Established order prevails at Club World Cup as minnows make little impact
MIAMI, June 27 (Reuters) - The occasional threat of an upset result at the Club World Cup handed hope to the minnows of the world game but in the end the established order prevailed at the conclusion of the first round of the tournament in the U.S. All but three of the teams through to the knockout stages are from Europe and South America with the field for the last-16 settled after the last group-stage matches on Thursday. Among the last to qualify was Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, but the Riyadh-based side is littered with players expensively purchased from European clubs like the Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and ex-Brazil international Malcom. Also through are Monterrey from Mexico and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi is the kingpin in a side filled with former Barcelona stalwarts. But for the rest, it was a disappointing return from clubs from other continents. Al-Hilal held Real Madrid to a draw in their opening game and won a decisive clash with Pachuca of Mexico on Thursday to advance, but it was one of only two matches won by Asian clubs in the first round out of a total of 12 played. Africa had similarly disappointing statistics. Its four representatives went home with a combined total of two wins in 12 outings. 'It is a big step up for the players,' said Miguel Cardoso of South Africa champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who collected four points but still finished third in Group F. 'The level of competition is just that little bit higher than what the players are used to,' the coach added. 'These experiences will stay with us hopefully for the coming games we play,' said Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer as his side make a quick return to Major League Soccer action at Austin on Saturday after playing Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and European champions Paris St Germain. 'There were a lot of similarities in the style and approach to the game between us and the powerful clubs we played against. But you have to factor in that their players are playing at a much higher level.' Egypt's Al Ahly and Tunisia's Esperance also brought plenty of fans and helped create atmosphere in the large stadiums but went home without achieving their ambition of progressing to the last-16. 'The moment that you drop a little bit your level against this quality of opponents, you pay a price,' added Jose Riveiro, coach of Cairo giants Al Ahly who had a rollicking 4-4 draw with Porto in their last group game. But he said competing at the Club World Cup was a special experience. 'The players have the opportunity to showcase their talent and a fantastic platform to do it. 'It's a special occasion for sure something that, well, you don't always have the opportunity to be involved in,' Riveiro said.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Al Hilal Advances to Club World Cup Round of 16 With 2-0 Win Over Pachuca
Salem Aldawsari scored in the 22nd minute, and Al-Hilal beat Pachuca 2–0 on Thursday night to clinch a berth in the Club World Cup round of 16. Marcus Leonardo also scored for Al-Hilal, the only team outside Europe and the Americas to advance out of group play. Al-Hilal will next face English club Manchester City on Monday in Orlando, Florida. Aldawsari, attacking from the left, scored 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. The game drew 14,147 to Geodis Park, which has a capacity of 30,000. Key Moment: As Pachuca kept trying to keep the pace up, Leonardo scored his first goal of the tournament in the last minute of extra time, dribbling swiftly past Jurado and sending a left-footed shot in to secure Al-Hilal's spot in the round of 16. Takeaways: Al-Hilal is the second team from Group H to move on, as Real Madrid clinched through a 3–0 victory against RB Salzburg. Pachuca ended the tournament winless. What They Said: 'These are not easy games, and we are in the Club World Cup, so every team that is here, they have potential. It was a hard game…so clean sheet and the win, and we are through. That's the most important.' – Ruben Neves of Al-Hilal 'Every player wants to score. My goal was ambitious, and scoring was the cherry on top.' – Salem Aldawsari of Al-Hilal
The National
a day ago
- Sport
- The National
Club World Cup: Al Hilal beat Pachuca to storm into last 16
Al Hilal defeated Mexico's Pachuca 2-0 to reach the knockout stage of the Club World Cup. The Saudi Arabian club clinched their first win of the tournament, which proved enough to send them through as Group H runners-up behind Real Madrid. Salem Al Dawsari opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Marcos Leonardo added the second in stoppage time to set up a last-16 clash with Manchester City in Orlando on Monday. Pachuca were already eliminated after losing their first two games. While they put up a good fight, Al Hilal's defence - marshalled by Kalidou Koulibaly - shackled danger man Salomon Rondon and restricted the Mexicans to long-range shots and half chances. Al Hilal were given a few scares by Pachuca as they sat deeper to protect their lead in the final quarter, but held on for a victory that gave them five points to Red Bull Salzburg's four. "It was a hard game but I think we did a great game," said midfielder Ruben Neves. "We scored first off, we had control and we defended very well. A clean sheet and a win and we are through. That's the most important thing." Al Hilal have spent heavily on top talent from across the globe, but the opening goal came from a combination of two homegrown talents. Nasser Al Dawsari took possession in the final third and lofted a pass into the area to his captain Salem, who controlled the ball with one touch of his right foot and lifted it over the goalkeeper with his second. Leonardo headed over the crossbar later in the first half and should have scored in the 83rd minute when he only had goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado to beat. His chip was too weak, however, and Jurado got enough of a touch on it to allow defender Eduardo Bauermann to clear it off the line. Pachuca substitute Illian Hernandez sounded a warning with a header that flashed past the post in the 84th minute but Leonardo settled any Al Hilal nerves five minutes into stoppage time. Neves found him in plenty of space in the box and this time the Brazilian rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into an empty net. Al Ain finish on a high Kaku scored early in the second half to lift Al Ain to a 2-1 victory over Wydad in the final match of the Club World Cup for both clubs. Both teams were already eliminated from contention for the tournament's knockout round. They went into the final group match without a win in Group G. Wydad coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem was at the game on crutches following a traffic accident with a team physician earlier in the week. No one involved in the accident was seriously injured, but the Moroccan coach was unable to attend the team's news conference the day before the match. Wydad scored in the fourth minute. Cassius Mailula found himself unchallenged at the end of a cross by Mohamed Moufid and beat goalkeeper Rui Patrício at the near post. Kodjo Laba converted a penalty just before halftime to pull Al Ain even. Al Ain took the lead in the 50th minute when Paraguayan international Kaku finished into the upper right corner. Wydad centerback Jamal Harkass was injured in the run-up to the goal and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Al Hilal vs Pachuca: Live Stream FIFA Club World Cup, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Al Hilal will face Pachuca in this 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matchup on Thursday at GEODIS Park, and you can catch all the action with DAZN. Ruben Neves #8 of Al Hilal controls the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium on June 18, 2025, in... Ruben Neves #8 of Al Hilal controls the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium on June 18, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. MoreHow to Watch Al Hilal vs Pachuca Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025 Time: 9:00 PM ET Stream: DAZN (WATCH FOR FREE) You can stream this game with a free subscription (720p and ads) to DAZN, which can be upgraded to premium HD image quality without advertisements. Al Hilal and Pachuca will take the pitch on Thursday, June 26th, at GEODIS Park in this FIFA Club World Cup match. Although Pachuca has officially been eliminated from advancing to the Round of 16, Al Hilal can sneak in with a win and a loss from either Real Madrid or Salzburg. Al Hilal has split their first two matches, drawing 1-1 with Real Madrid and 0-0 with Salzburg. Rúben Neves scored their lone goal during the campaign, with a 41' equalizer against Real. If he can give them the edge again in this one, they should like their chances to advance. This is a great Club World Cup matchup; make sure to tune in and catch all the action. Live stream every 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with DAZN: Start your subscription now! Club World Cup Potential Lineups Al Hilal: Bono; Cancelo, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; Neves, N. Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Milinkovic-Savic, S. Al-Dawsari; Leonardo Pachuca: Moreno; Sanchez, Bauermann, Pereira, Gonzalez; Montiel, Palavecino; Dominguez, J. Kennedy, Kenedy; Rondon Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
