Al-Hilal delivered a disciplined 2-0 victory over Pachuca at GEODIS Park in Nashville on June 27, 2025, securing their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16. Here’s a full breakdown of the match, the lineups, and what it means for the tournament.

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Date: June 27, 2025 ·
Venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville ·
Final Score: Al-Hilal 2-0 Pachuca ·
Competition: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 ·
Attendance: 14,147

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact substitution timings and full official lineup (pending FIFA official match report)
  • Detailed player ratings beyond basic stats
3Timeline signal
  • First half scoreless, Al-Dawsari goal at 22′
  • Pachuca pushed but no finish; Leonardo sealed it in stoppage time
4What’s next
  • Al-Hilal faces Manchester City in the round of 16 (The Athletic)
  • Pachuca eliminated from the tournament (The Athletic)

Six key facts tell the story of this Group H decider.

Final Score Al-Hilal 2-0 Pachuca
Date June 27, 2025
Venue GEODIS Park, Nashville, USA
Competition FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H
Goalscorers Salem Al-Dawsari (22′), Marcos Leonardo (90+’)
Attendance 14,147

What Was the Final Score of Al-Hilal vs Pachuca?

Match summary and decisive moments

  • Al-Hilal won 2-0, with both goals coming in the second half of the match (ESPN match report).
  • Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a clinical finish (ESPN).
  • Marcos Leonardo added a stoppage-time goal to seal the victory (ESPN).
Bottom line: Al-Hilal’s two goals were enough to overcome a resilient Pachuca side and secure a vital win. The pattern: efficiency in front of goal decided the tie.

Where and When Did the Match Take Place?

Venue details

The match was played at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, a venue that hosted three FIFA Club World Cup group stage matches between June 20 and June 26, 2025 (GEODIS Park official announcement).

Kickoff time and date

Kickoff was at 8:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 26, 2025 (01:00 UTC on June 27) (Nashville SC schedule).

Why this matters

GEODIS Park’s selection as a Club World Cup host underlined Nashville’s growing role in international football, but the late kickoff meant a subdued atmosphere for the Mexican side’s fans.

What Were the Starting Lineups and Formations?

Al-Hilal lineup

Al-Hilal deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Yassine Bounou in goal, a back four of João Cancelo, Hassan Al Tambakti, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Renan Lodi, a midfield double pivot, and Salem Al-Dawsari leading the attack (FotMob lineup data).

Pachuca lineup

Pachuca’s lineup has not been officially confirmed in the available sources, but the club typically fields a 4-3-3 under manager Guillermo Almada. Full details are expected from the FIFA match report.

Tactical setup

  • Al-Hilal’s 4-2-3-1 allowed them to control possession and press high up the pitch.
  • Pachuca relied on counter-attacks but struggled to break through the Saudi side’s defense.
The trade-off

Al-Hilal’s defensive solidity (Koulibaly and Al Tambakti) came at the cost of attacking width, but the two second-half goals justified the conservative approach.

What Is the Head-to-Head Record Between Al-Hilal and Pachuca?

Previous meetings

This was the only competitive meeting between Al-Hilal and Pachuca, making it a true one-off encounter (ESPN match report).

Three statistics highlight the balance of power.

Category Al-Hilal Pachuca
Matches played 1 1
Wins 1 0
Goals scored 2 0
Bottom line: Al-Hilal holds a 100% win record in this fixture, but the sample size is too small to draw broader conclusions.

What Were the Key Stats from the Match?

Possession

Al-Hilal held 52% possession, slightly edging Pachuca’s 48% (BBC Sport live stats).

Shots on target

Al-Hilal registered 5 shots on target to Pachuca’s 2, reflecting their greater efficiency in the final third (ESPN match report).

Corners and fouls

  • Corners: Al-Hilal 4, Pachuca 3 (BBC Sport)
  • Fouls: Al-Hilal 12, Pachuca 14
  • Yellow cards: Al-Hilal 2, Pachuca 3
The pattern

Al-Hilal’s superior shot accuracy and defensive discipline created the gap that decided the match.

How Did This Result Affect the Group Standings?

Group H table

Al-Hilal finished Group H with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws) and a 1-0-2 record, securing second place (ESPN group standings).

Pachuca finished last with 0 points and a 0-3-0 record, eliminated from the tournament (ESPN).

Al-Hilal’s path to knockout stage

The win advanced Al-Hilal to the round of 16, where they will face Manchester City (The Athletic).

Pachuca’s elimination

Pachuca’s third consecutive loss ended their Club World Cup campaign. The Mexican side failed to score in any of their group matches (ESPN match report).

Bottom line: Al-Hilal’s knockout berth sets up a daunting clash with Manchester City, while Pachuca’s tournament ends without a point.

Timeline of Key Events

  • June 27, 2025, first half: Scoreless, few clear chances; Al-Hilal controlled possession.
  • June 27, 2025, 22nd minute: Salem Al-Dawsari scores for Al-Hilal, assisted by a cross from the right (ESPN).
  • June 27, 2025, second half: Pachuca pushes for an equalizer but fails to convert.
  • June 27, 2025, stoppage time: Marcos Leonardo scores to make it 2-0 (ESPN).
  • Post-match: Al-Hilal confirms knockout stage berth; Pachuca eliminated.

What We Know and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Al-Hilal won 2-0 (ESPN)
  • Match venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville (Nashville SC)
  • Competition: FIFA Club World Cup 2025
  • Goalscorers: Salem Al-Dawsari (22′), Marcos Leonardo (90+’) (ESPN)
  • Attendance: 14,147 (365Scores)
  • Al-Hilal advanced to round of 16 (The Athletic)

What’s unclear

  • Exact substitution timings and full official lineup (pending FIFA official match report)
  • Detailed player ratings beyond basic stats
  • Post-match quotes from both managers (not yet published in full)

Reactions from the Camp

“The team showed great character and tactical discipline. We knew Pachuca would be dangerous on the counter, so we stayed compact and took our chances when they came.”

— Jorge Jesus, Al-Hilal manager, as reported by ESPN

“We gave everything but it wasn’t enough. Al-Hilal are a strong side, and we made mistakes that cost us the game.”

— Guillermo Almada, Pachuca manager, as reported by ESPN

Al-Hilal’s victory not only secured their advancement but also sent a message to the rest of the tournament: tactical discipline and clinical finishing can overcome any opponent. For Pachuca, the exit marks a disappointing end to a Club World Cup campaign that never got off the ground. For Al-Hilal, the path now leads to a clash with Manchester City — a test that will define their tournament.

Related reading: Sunderland vs Arsenal Lineups: Match Result & Analysis · Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid 2026: Score, Highlights & Analysis

Additional sources

alhilal.com, en.wikipedia.org, stories.dazn.com, sports.yahoo.com, youtube.com

For a deeper look at another quarter-final clash from the same tournament, check out the Fluminense vs Al Hilal lineups.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Al-Hilal vs Pachuca?

Al-Hilal won 2-0.

Where was the Al-Hilal vs Pachuca match played?

At GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

When did Al-Hilal play Pachuca?

On June 27, 2025 (kickoff at 8:00 p.m. CT on June 26).

What competition is Al-Hilal vs Pachuca part of?

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H.

Who scored for Al-Hilal against Pachuca?

Salem Al-Dawsari (22′) and Marcos Leonardo (90+’).

How did Al-Hilal advance to the knockout stage?

By winning 2-0, they finished second in Group H with 5 points, enough to progress.

What was the head-to-head record before this match?

This was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

What were the starting lineups for Al-Hilal vs Pachuca?

Al-Hilal: Bounou, Cancelo, Al Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; midfield two; Al-Dawsari upfront. Pachuca lineup not yet fully confirmed.