Kenyan football fans keeping tabs on the FIFA Club World Cup were treated to thrilling action as Al Hilal booked their spot in the last 16, dispatching Mexico’s Pachuca 2-0 at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2022 runners-up, led by the influential Salem Al-Dawsari, proved why they remain one of the tournament’s dark horses—and why Kenyan punters should watch them closely in the days ahead.
Al Hilal Start Fast, Pachuca Struggle
From the first whistle, Al Hilal’s attacking intent was clear. Sergej Milinković-Savić thought he had fired his side ahead just five minutes in, but his powerful finish was chalked off for a foul in the build-up. Undeterred, Al Hilal kept pressing—a stark contrast to a Pachuca side already eliminated and struggling to find rhythm.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute. Nasser Al-Dawsari slipped a perfect through-ball to Salem Al-Dawsari, who coolly lifted the ball over Pachuca’s Sebastián Jurado. With 30 goal contributions last Saudi Pro League season, Salem showed once again why he’s Al Hilal’s talisman.
Missed Chances and Pachuca’s Brief Revival
Al Hilal should have doubled their lead before halftime when Marcos Leonardo headed over from close range—a moment that left fans both in Nairobi and Riyadh gasping in disbelief.
After the break, Pachuca threatened a fightback. Salomón Rondón forced Yassine Bounou into a sharp save in the 56th minute, but that was as close as the Mexican side got. Despite throwing on four substitutes, they couldn’t breach Bounou’s goal again.
Leonardo Seals the Deal in Stoppage Time
Deep in stoppage time, Al Hilal wrapped up the win. Rúben Neves threaded a sublime pass through Pachuca’s high line, and Marcos Leonardo timed his run perfectly. The Brazilian rounded Jurado and rolled the ball into an empty net, erasing memories of his earlier miss and sealing a confident 2-0 victory.
What’s Next for Al Hilal?
The result propels Al Hilal into a blockbuster clash against Manchester City on Saturday—a tie that has Kenyan fans buzzing. City boasts a perfect record in the competition, but Al Hilal’s star power and defensive resilience mean an upset can’t be ruled out.
The winner will face either Inter Milan or Fluminense in the quarter-finals, adding further spice to what’s shaping up as one of the most competitive FIFA Club World Cups in recent memory.
Meanwhile, Pachuca exited the tournament bottom of the group, eager to forget a campaign that yielded zero points.
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