A star-studded Al Hilal began firmly on the front foot against a Pachuca side that was already doomed to elimination, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic appearing to fire his side ahead via a powerful strike after five minutes. However, referee Danny Makkelie decided that he had been too overaggressive in his battle with Elias Montiel in the build-up, disallowing the effort.
But the breakthrough was not delayed for much longer, as in the 22nd minute, Nasser Al-Dawsari put a defence-splitting ball through to his namesake Salem - fresh off 30 Saudi Pro League goal contributions last term - who exquisitely lifted the ball over the onrushing Sebastian Jurado.
One should have become two for Al Hilal nine minutes before HT, as Marcos Leonardo planted an unmarked header into the stands - despite it appearing easier for last season’s 17-goal striker to score.
There then came a brief revival for Pachuca after HT, and they finally called Yassine Bounou into action in the 56th minute. In top form after saving a 92nd-minute penalty from Federico Valverde in Al Hilal’s Group H-opener against Real Madrid, the Moroccan shot-stopper did well to gather Salomon Rondon’s fierce strike at the second time of asking.
Despite the introduction of no less than four substitutes, Pachuca frustratingly failed to force Bounou into making another save throughout the remainder of the game. Ultimately, it appeared that Inzaghi and Co. were happy to keep hold of possession until FT.
That was, at least, until deep into stoppage time, as Leonardo finally got his goal. It was a textbook example of beating the offside trap, as he expertly timed his run from Ruben Neves’ pass through the Pachuca lines, before smartly rounding Jurado and rolling the ball into an empty net.
The three points set up a mouthwatering quarter-final tie on Saturday against Manchester City - who possess an unblemished record in the tournament - with the winner of that match facing either Inter Milan or Fluminense in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Pachuca will surely be glad to see the back of the 2025 CWC after finishing bottom of the group with zero points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal)
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