Lightning over the stadium! © APA/afp / PAUL ELLIS

Storm cannot stop RB Salzburg at the Club World Cup

Even a severe thunderstorm with a 100-minute interruption of play could not deprive RB Salzburg of their first victory at the Club World Cup in the USA.

June 19, 2025

From: dpa/det

Coach Thomas Letsch's team beat CF Pachuca of Mexico 2-1 (1-0) in Cinicinnati and now leads Group H by three points, ahead of Real Madrid. The Spanish star ensemble, under new coach Xabi Alonso, had previously failed to advance beyond a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia.

The Austrian club took the lead in an attacking match shortly before halftime through 21-year-old Israeli Oscar Gloukh (42nd minute). After 55 minutes, Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal suspended the match due to an approaching thunderstorm. Pachuca made better use of the long break: Bryan Gonzalez equalized almost immediately after the restart (56th minute). But former Mainz player Karim Onisiwo headed home the winner (76th minute).

Juventus Turin had no trouble defeating Al-Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates. The Italians comfortably defeated the underdogs 5-0. Former Frankfurt player Randal Kolo Muani (11th minute, 45th minute, +4th minute) and Portuguese striker Francisco Conceicao (21st minute, 58th minute), who also scored in the Nations League semifinal against Germany, scored twice. Kenan Yildiz was responsible for the interim 3-0 lead against an overmatched opponent (31st minute).