Salem Al-Dawsari lit up the pitch with a sublime finish in the 22nd minute, and Marcos Leonardo struck late in stoppage time as Al Hilal cruised past CF Pachuca 2-0 on Thursday in Nashville, securing their place in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.
Remaining unbeaten in Group H, the Saudi giants wrapped up group play with five points (1 win, 2 draws), edging past RB Salzburg, who ended on four points after a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Al Hilal had earlier drawn with both Madrid and Salzburg, but their decisive performance against Pachuca proved to be the difference.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was solid between the posts, recording two key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Al Hilal now prepare for a high-stakes clash against Group H winners Manchester City in Orlando on Monday.
Pachuca, meanwhile, head home empty-handed after three straight losses in group play.
The breakthrough came courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Salem Al-Dawsari, who latched onto a lofted ball from namesake Nasser Al-Dawsari and lobbed a stunning right-footed effort over goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado, nestling the ball into the far corner.
With Pachuca pressing late, Bounou snuffed out their best chance in the 81st minute, smothering the ball in a crowded box.
Then, in the dying moments, Leonardo slammed the door shut, capping off a slick counterattack orchestrated by Rúben Neves and sealing Al Hilal’s progression in style.