- RB Salzburg and Al-Hilal drew 0:0 in Group H at Audi Field in Washington
- Real Madrid lead the group with 4 points and better goal difference
- Both sides had multiple chances but failed to score despite intense tempo
Key Takeaways:
RB Salzburg and Al-Hilal finished 0:0 in a Group H match at the Club World Cup. The game at Audi Field in Washington featured many goal-scoring chances but ended without a goal. Al-Hilal dominated the first half, while Salzburg had more chances after the break.
The draw kept Real Madrid at the top of the group after their 3:1 win over Pachuca earlier in the day. The Spanish club has 4 points and a better goal difference than RB Salzburg ahead of their upcoming direct clash in the final group round. Al-Hilal are third with 2 points and still hold a chance to advance to the Round of 16.
Plenty of chances, but no goals between Salzburg and Al Hilal ❌ pic.twitter.com/eVUy8Gk67n
— 433 (@433) June 22, 2025
The game started at a fast pace with constant attacks from both teams. Cancelo made a strong run down the right in the early minutes, but his sharp cross was not met by teammates. Al-Hilal responded with a long-range shot by Al-Dawsari, saved by Zaveshitski. Bounou also had to intervene, stopping an acrobatic effort from Onisiwo.
Both teams were not afraid to try long-range shots, but neither Milinkovic-Savic nor Bidstrup succeeded. After the midway point of the first half, Al-Hilal settled in the opposing half. Malcom was the most active, but Salzburg’s defence kept an eye on his runs. Just before halftime, Nene Dorgeles missed a chance to put Salzburg ahead.
John Mellberg, son of former Swedish international Olof Mellberg, came on for Salzburg at the start of the second half. In the 48th minute, the ball was cleared from Al-Hilal’s goal line, but the Saudi side regained control shortly after. Cancelo again broke forward and fired a sharp shot across goal, but Salzburg’s keeper made the save.
In the 57th minute, Al-Hilal created a clear chance when Malcom received the ball in a great position but missed by centimetres. Soon after, the Brazilian was replaced by Mohamed Kanno. Salzburg relied on quick counterattacks, which were dangerous. On one such occasion, Yorbe Vertessen narrowly missed the target.
Towards the end of the game, Salzburg looked fresher and could have taken the win, but their promising wing play failed to produce a clean opportunity in front of Bounou’s goal.