Mexican team Pachuca suffered a 2-0 defeat against Al-Hilal at Nashville’s Geodis Park, ending their participation in the 2025 Club World Cup without earning any points, without scoring goals, and showing a level far from the international standards demanded by the tournament.
With just over 14,000 fans in attendance, goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo not only sealed the Saudi team’s victory but also secured their qualification to the round of 16 as the second place in Group H.
Key Defensive Error and Saudi Dominance
Although Pachuca showed some offensive intent in the opening minutes, a defensive lapse at the 23rd minute changed the course of the match. Nasser Al-Dawsari delivered a precise pass to Salem, who skillfully finished over goalkeeper Sebastián Jurado to open the scoring.
From that moment, Al-Hilal took full control of the game. Pachuca couldn’t recover, and in the final minutes, Marcos Leonardo scored a goal that confirmed the superiority of the Saudi side.
Elimination Without Points and Potential Squad Changes
With three losses, six goals conceded, and none scored, Pachuca ends the Club World Cup as one of the tournament’s weakest teams. Jaime Lozano’s squad will return to Mexico this Friday, where significant decisions from the management are expected.
Among the possible changes are the retirement of defender Gustavo Cabral and the potential transfer of Elías Montiel to European football. According to ESPN sources, the club aims to undertake a deep squad restructuring ahead of the Liga MX Apertura 2025.
Disappointment and Lessons for the Future
Pachuca’s performance in this tournament leaves a clear lesson: the team was not up to the challenge, neither on the field nor mentally, to compete at the international level. Their elimination without points reflects a project that needs to be reconsidered if they want to compete in these tournaments again.
