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Brilliant Bounou stops Salzburg as Al Hilal stay in the hunt
Washington D.C: FC Salzburg missed the chance to book their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 after being held to a 0-0 draw by Al Hilal SFC on Sunday, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou pulling off a stunning second-half save to keep the Saudi Arabian side level.
The result leaves Group H wide open, with three teams still in contention heading into the final round of games.

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Thomas Letsch’s side knew that a win would take them through after victory over CF Pachuca in their opening match, but neither side could break the deadlock at Audi Field in Washington D.C.

Salzburg moved on to four points, but currently sit second in the group behind Real Madrid, who they face in their final encounter on Thursday in Philadelphia. 

Al Hilal, for their part, have two points on the board and go into their game against eliminated Pachuca in Nashville knowing only a victory will be enough to keep their dreams of progress alive.
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Al Hilal came close to an opener in the 21st minute when Marcos Leonardo’s close-range effort was kept out by a stunning block from defender Jacob Rasmussen in front of goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky.

Early in the second period, Salzburg were denied twice in quick succession as Bounou somehow saved at point-blank range from unmarked substitute John Mellberg, before Kalidou Koulibaly cleared the follow-up effort from Dorgeles Nene.
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Zawieschitzky was then called into action to parry a powerful driven cross-shot from Joao Cancelo and soon after Malcolm side-footed an effort narrowly wide following a rapid break as both teams had to settle for a hard-earned point.

Sources: FIFA / AFP