New York Red Bulls sister club Red Bull Salzburg played their first game in the newly revamped FIFA Club World Cup, defeating a more local rival in Liga MX’s Pachuca, 2-1 at TQL Stadium on Wednesday night. A 76th minute goal from Karim Onisiwo was the decider as Salzburg faced the full might of a legendary Mexican side. In the end, the Austian powerhouses held off the opposition for a dream start to the competition.
“It is a special moment for everyone,” said midfielder Oscar Gloukh after the game. “It’s the kind of thing that you dream about as a small child, and it’s actually happening. We worked hard for it, and we have to keep on like that.”
The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw Gloukh put his team ahead in the 42nd minute thanks to service from Valentin Sulzbacher. The Isreali midfielder buried his chance into the top corner to give Salzburg a lead heading into the half. Pachuca wasted little time finding the equalizer in the 56th minute but Onisiwo’s late goal was enough to give the European visitors the advance heading into the second game of the group stage.
The buffer is important as Salzburg face 2024 Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal before squaring up against the club’s biggest competition ever against Real Madrid. The win over Pachuca gives them the upper hand in points, topping the group given the draw between Real Madrid and Al Hilal on the same night. Avoiding a loss in the upcoming game could be enough to see the Austrian club through to the knockout stages.
“The game had a lot of unusual aspects,” said the game-winning goal scorer Onisiwo. “I am extremely pleased I could help the team with a goal. And I am delighted to be back in rhythm after my injuries. Now we have to recover ahead of the Al Hilal match, which will be a decisive one.”
Onisiwo’s goal certainly marked an important return for the Austrian forward who battled injuries in the same year that Salzburg surrendered their dominance over the Bundesliga. That goal, and this win, is one that the club hopes returns them to the heights they have grown accustomed to over the last decade.
photo from Red Bull Salzburg