RB Salzburg edged past Mexico’s CF Pachuca with a dramatic 2-1 win on Wednesday night, thanks to a decisive 76th-minute header from substitute Karim Onisiwo in a FIFA Club World Cup Group H showdown in Cincinnati.
Salzburg took the lead just before halftime through a moment of brilliance from Oscar Gloukh.
The Israeli midfielder picked up a pass from Valentin Sulzbacher near the edge of the box, sidestepped defender Pedro Pedraza, and unleashed a right-footed drive that curled past Carlos Moreno into the far corner.
The second half was delayed by nearly 90 minutes due to severe weather, but action resumed with immediate drama. Barely back on the pitch, Pachuca found their equalizer in the 56th minute when Bryan González’s curling free-kick soared over the wall and sneaked inside the near post to beat the debutant Salzburg keeper Christian Zawieschitzky.
However, the 18-year-old goalkeeper showed remarkable composure throughout his first senior appearance, keeping his side in the game with several key stops, notably denying Salomón Rondón and Elias Montiel in the first half and foiling Alexei Dominguez and Rondón again early in the second.
The match-winner came in the 76th minute when Onisiwo rose highest to meet a well-placed corner, nodding home to restore Salzburg’s advantage and ultimately clinch all three points.
With the result, Salzburg climbed to the top of Group H, capitalizing on the earlier draw between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal.