Al-Hilal will play Manchester Metropolis within the final 16 of the Membership World Cup after a closing day 2-0 win over Mexican facet Pachuca.
The Saudi facet leapfrogged RB Salzburg to qualify behind group winners Actual Madrid after the Spanish giants beat the Austrians 3-0 in Philadelphia.
That meant that targets from Salem al Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo had been sufficient for Al-Hilal to safe a spot within the knockout stage.
Pachuca, already eradicated after shedding their first two video games, had been vigorous however an Al-Hilal defence fantastically marshalled by Kalidou Koulibaly shackled hazard man Salomon Rondon and restricted the Mexicans to long-range photographs and half probabilities.
All of the highlights from Al Hilal’s 2-0 victory over Pachuca as they advance to the Spherical of 16! pic.twitter.com/4QwlUa4kda
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Al-Hilal had been responsible of being a bit informal at instances, and got a number of scares by Pachuca as they sat deeper to guard their lead within the closing quarter, however held on for a victory that gave them 5 factors to Salzburg’s 4.
“It was a tough sport however I believe we did an important sport,” stated midfielder Ruben Neves.
“We scored first off, we had management and we defended very properly. A clear sheet and a win and we’re by way of. That’s crucial factor.”
Nasser Al-Dawsari lofted a go into the world to his captain Salem, who managed the ball with one contact of his proper foot and lifted it over the goalkeeper together with his second.
Leonardo headed over the crossbar later within the first half and will have scored within the 83rd minute when chic Al-Hilal method play left him with solely goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado to beat.
His chip was too weak, nonetheless, and Jurado obtained sufficient of a contact on it to permit defender Eduardo Bauermann to clear it off the road.
Pachuca substitute Illian Hernandez sounded a warning with a strong header that flashed previous the put up within the 84th minute however Leonardo settled any Al-Hilal nerves 5 minutes into stoppage time.
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Neves discovered him in loads of house within the field and this time the Brazilian rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into an empty web.
Manchester Metropolis are possible to offer a a lot sterner take a look at than Pachuca and Neves stated Al-Hilal wanted to play in the identical manner as they did of their 1-1 draw with Actual final week.
“We’re taking part in in opposition to, for me, one of many high three groups on the planet. I do know them very properly,” the Portugal worldwide stated.
“We’ll do our greatest, after all, we’ll put together the sport like we did in these three video games and we’ll see what occurred.”