Inzaghi proud as Al-Hilal join 'the best' in Club World Cup knockout stage

FILE PHOTO: Jun 22, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Al Hilal FC head coach Simone Inzaghi watches play against FC Salzburg in the first half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 27, 2025, 01:21 PM

Thanks for sharing!

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal became the only Asian side to reach the Club World Cup's knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Pachuca on Thursday, finishing their Group H campaign unbeaten and setting up a round-of-16 meeting with Manchester City.

Al-Hilal showed they could compete with the best teams in the world when they held Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg to draws in their first two games under new coach Simone Inzaghi.

They have conceded just one goal in their three matches, sharing the best defensive record of the group stage with Paris St Germain and Monterrey.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Al-Hilal, majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, have signed a string of world-class players over the last two years including Neymar, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Marcos Leonardo and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Although Neymar has left the club and Mitrovic remains sidelined with a calf injury, the depth of the squad has allowed Al-Hilal to weather the pressure of the big stage.

KEY QUOTES

Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi: "Our goal was to achieve (being in) the group of the best teams in the world.

"It was not an easy task, but the team was well united. It fought during the three games for a great objective ... we were not coming here just to have fun, we were coming here to play a World Cup and we wanted to reach this stage.

"Now we'll have to play against Manchester City ... it's one of the greatest teams in the world. These are the games where you can improve and you can mature as a team, so I'm very proud." REUTERS

Join  ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Thanks for sharing!