Brilliant Al Hilal seal spot in FIFA Club World Cup last 16 | OneFootball

Used to flying the flag high for the Roshn Saudi League, Al Hilal did so again early on Friday by booking their place in the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 2023-24 RSL champions entered the final Group H encounter against FC Pachuca in Nashville knowing victory against the Mexican club would seal a spot in the last 16.

And Al Hilal did just that, with captain Salem Al Dawsari leading the way with a superb goal on 22 minutes. Nasser Al Dawsari played the 2024-25 RSL Saudi Player of the Season in over the top of the Pachuca defence, leaving his namesake to coolly lift the ball beyond goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado.

Al Hilal captain Salem Al Dawsari celebrates superb opener v FC Pachuca at FIFA Club World Cup

At the other end, Al Hilal counterpart Yassine Bono had to be at his brilliant best, saving from Agustin Palavecino right before half-time and then nine minutes from time when he collected Elias Montiel's volleyed effort.

Al Hilal then wrapped up the points, and progression, in injury-time through Marcos Leonardo. The Brazilian, who enjoyed a fine debut season in the RSL, met Ruben Neves’ lofted through ball on 95 minutes, rounded Jurado and placed into the empty net.

Al Hilal had a first win of this expanded Club World Cup and advance to the last 16 as runners-up to Real Madrid in Group H, with Al Dawsari later named Player of the Match. Simone Inzaghi’s new side did so undefeated from their three matches.

And next up for Al Hilal? Well, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in Orlando on Monday. The RSL giants, who largely outplayed Real Madrid in their opening draw last week, couldn’t, could they?

“We just have to play as a team,” Neves said. “Like we did against Real Madrid, like we did the last game and today. So we need to do the same.

“We are playing against, for me, one of the top three teams in the world. I know them very well. They changed a lot of players, but I know them very well, the coach [and] some friends that I have there from Portugal.

“I played against them a few times when I was in England, and it was not easy. But we'll do our best, of course. We will prepare the game like we did on these three games - and let's see what happens.”