Al-Hilal Riyadh vs Pachuca

To advance to the Club World Cup's round of 16, Al-Hilal must defeat Pachuca, who are already out of contention, in their final Group H match.

Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg hold a two-point lead heading into Thursday’s Group H decider in Nashville, but a victory for Simone Inzaghi’s team could still secure their progression.

Al-Hilal’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were dented in Washington, D.C., where they controlled possession but failed to penetrate Salzburg’s defense in stifling heat.

The Saudi team now needs a win against Pachuca to escape Group H, though even that might not guarantee qualification.

A victory over Pachuca would see either Real Madrid or Salzburg take the group’s top spot depending on their match result, with the loser eliminated. However, a draw between Salzburg and Real Madrid would leave Al-Hilal, Salzburg, and Real Madrid tied on points.

Given Al-Hilal’s inferior goal difference—and the fact that goals against Pachuca don’t count toward tiebreakers—they could still be eliminated even with a win if the other match ends level.

Unbeaten in seven games since their AFC Champions League semi-final loss to Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal know a win keeps them in the hunt, with their chances potentially hinging on the return of injured striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Pachuca, who earned their spot by winning the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, have struggled in their fifth Club World Cup appearance and are set to head home to Mexico after two losses.

Despite a strong showing against Real Madrid on the opening matchday, Al-Hilal couldn’t capitalize, while Pachuca squandered an opportunity for revenge against Real Madrid after last year’s Intercontinental Cup final defeat.

Playing against a 10-man Real Madrid side for much of their match, Pachuca failed to convert their dominance—registering 25 shots, the most Real Madrid have faced in a single game in over a decade—into goals, losing 3-1 with only a late Elias Montiel strike to show for it.

With no points from their two Group H matches, including a 2-1 loss to Salzburg, Jaime Lozano’s Pachuca are confirmed to exit the tournament.

Al-Hilal may again be without Mitrovic, sidelined by a calf injury, leaving Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo to lead the line. Despite scoring 25 goals in 40 games for Al-Hilal since joining from Benfica, Leonardo is yet to score in Group H.

Inzaghi, buoyed by Nasser Al-Dawsari’s recovery from a minor injury, is likely to field a familiar lineup featuring Malcom, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and captain Salem Al-Dawsari in support of Leonardo.

Pachuca’s Lozano may shuffle his squad, with no chance of advancing. Salomon Rondon typically leads their attack, but John Kennedy, who took five shots as a substitute against Real Madrid, could start alongside or instead of the veteran. Teenage midfielder Elias Montiel, who scored against Real and earned the Bronze Ball at last year’s Intercontinental Cup, is expected to retain his spot.