Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexican club CF Pachuca in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday evening. A late goal from substitute Karim Onisiwo proved to be the difference in a match that was delayed for over an hour due to a thunderstorm.
The game, held at TQL Stadium, saw a lively start from both teams. Red Bull Salzburg broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from highly-rated midfielder Oscar Gloukh. The 21-year-old weaved past several Pachuca defenders before unleashing a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Pachuca, the reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, came out strong after the weather-enforced delay in the second half. Their persistence paid off almost immediately, with Bryan González finding the equalizer just a minute after the restart to bring the Mexican side level.
Both teams pressed for a winner in the remaining minutes. Pachuca's veteran striker Salomón Rondón was a constant threat, coming close on a couple of occasions, including a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar.
However, it was Salzburg's strategic substitution that ultimately decided the contest. Karim Onisiwo, brought on in the second half, rose highest to head home a cross in the 76th minute, restoring his team's lead. Pachuca battled for a second equalizer but were unable to break down a resilient Salzburg defense.
Following the match, Pachuca manager Jaime Lozano expressed his disappointment but remained focused on the rest of the tournament. "We will keep working and move forward," he stated. "We will do our best to control what we can in the upcoming matches."
The victory places Red Bull Salzburg in a strong position in their group as they look to advance in the newly expanded 32-team tournament. Pachuca, on the other hand, will need a positive result in their next fixture to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
