‘We also know how to play soccer’: Al Hilal, Monterrey among underdogs challenging European giants at Club World Cup

Miami Gardens, Florida – Lack of respect was blocked but clear and implicit in Europe’s position towards this club’s World CupObviously on social media and television. He even leaked to the mixed area at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday after that Hillaal lottery 1-1 with Real Madrid. Correspondents asked, digesting an unexpected match, players from both sides: Are they surprised? After tolerance “El Mejor Equipo Del Mondo” – The supposed “Best Team in the World”, Real Madrid – Malcom could only have a muffled laugh.

The Brazilian wing in Hillal said, “Nosotros También Sabemos Jugar Al Fútbol,” said the Brazilian wing in Hillal.

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“We also know how to play football.”

In short, the comprehensive message sent by teams from the Americas and Saudi Arabia was five days after the club’s World Cup. against The prevailing assumptions that European super models will be valz To the semi -finals, the six participants in South America were accused in the first round of the games without losing.

Here in South Florida, two days later Boca Juniors Drew BenficaOne day after Fluminney’s superiority over Borussia Dortmund and Monterery, Inter Milan, Saudi Arabia held a strong Saudi Hillal against the finest European Club.

“It was a very balanced match.” “We played against one of the best teams in the world, and we came to compete.” He said that the game could have tended to either side, and in the end, the draw was “a fair result.”

This was the seventh match between a European team and a non -European professional competitor at the 2025 World Cup. Although none of the seven European clubs lost, five of the clouds have worked. Palmeiras in Brazil and Fluminense bombed Porto and Dortmund, respectively, and settled at 0-0. Argentina led Boca Juniors Benfica 2-0 in a 2-2 match.

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After that, on Tuesday night, Monterrey commented with the UEFA Champions League final, Inter.

“We said that we will go to the soles of the feet, and I think this is what we did.” “We had stages where we were better than [Inter]Ramos added that their performance RaydosMany say about us, and about the intention we came to here. “

Sixteen hours later, Hillal brought a third continent to the party. The state -owned Saudi giants had more than twice the number of shots such as Real Madrid in the first half on Wednesday. In the second, with expensive stars replacement with anger, faded. But Yassin Bono-who was voted two years ago, was the third best goalkeeper in all football for men-saved the stoppage in stoppage time and got a point.

Speaking 30 minutes later, CANCELO glow, and escaped from what his team’s performance said from the Saudi Professional League. “I do not say that we are on a global level,” I explained in the Spanish language, “because we are not in the first five league championships in the world. But we are good players.” He said the level “surprised him a lot” when he joined Hillal for the first time after his period in Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Now, no longer. He said, “We are a very strong team.”

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In many ways, they are incomplete actors in the Saudi League and the Confederation of Asian Football. Hillal has spent $ 550 million to transfer the player over the past two years. It is one of four strengths in a relatively non -developed league. It is the only Asian team to get a result so far in the club’s World Cup.

But CNCELO was insisting – in three different languages. “There are very high quality and physical players,” he said in Spanish. In the English language: “We have very good players in this league. I played at the best championships in the world; I know what [I’m talking about]”

These are the types of words that Europe can laugh for years. Now, it is forced to face the possibility that the gap between the “Five Grand League Championships” – England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France – and the rest of the world is less than many than many. Of course, there will be excuses, with fatigue among them. Perhaps there are still assumptions that despite the narrow games, European kings will eventually judge.

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However, when asked whether teams from Saudi Arabia, South America and Mexico could continue the problem of European teams throughout the tournament, Malcom did not hesitate.

“Certainly. Certainly, he said. “It is the championship of the heroes … I am sure that the teams from South America, from Asia, like Hillal, will be surprised [people] In this tournament. “

There was, to be clear, no visits that Real Madrid was surprised; Nothing indicates that they ignored the helal. “We knew that they were on a good level,” said defender Dean Huwaijsen.

But the match reinforced a fact that may apply to 30 of 32 teams in this tournament.

Hiujsen said: “Don’t underestimate any opponent.”

Armando Bottello II reports from Pasadina, California.