Odion Ighalo may no longer wear the Al-Hilal shirt, but his former club made major headlines on Wednesday night after holding mighty Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the FIFA Club World Cup — a result that is fast becoming a symbol of Arab football’s rise.

The Saudi giants, coached by Italian legend Simone Inzaghi, delivered an organized and fearless performance against the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, showing the world that Gulf football has caught up with the elite.

For Nigerian fans, the result hits even closer to home. Ighalo, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable forwards in recent years, led the Al-Hilal attack during their 2022 Club World Cup campaign in Morocco. His stint helped raise the club’s profile across Africa, and their latest performance shows the momentum hasn’t stopped.

Al-Hilal dominated large spells of the first half and nearly pulled off a major upset against Xabi Alonso’s star-studded Real Madrid side. The draw means they go into their next match against RB Salzburg with plenty of confidence — and a real shot at qualification from Group H.

Coach Inzaghi was full of praise for his team’s effort:

“It was a very good game. The lads played with great organisation and personality against what I consider one of the three strongest teams in the world. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

He also spoke about the broader message the result sends for football in the Middle East:

“People are starting to realise the level is rising. I’ve found a club here with organisation, ambition and players hungry to compete. The game was tough with the heat and humidity, but the players handled it superbly.”

Saudi Arabia’s Pro League has invested heavily in football infrastructure and top talents in recent years — a strategy that’s beginning to pay off. For Nigerian football lovers watching from afar, this evolution isn’t just entertaining — it’s a chance to rethink old narratives about “weaker” footballing regions.

Back in 2022, Ighalo’s performances for Al-Hilal sparked interest from Nigerian fans. Now, the club is flying high again — not just as Saudi Arabia’s best, but as genuine contenders on the world stage.

With the likes of Al-Hilal gaining ground and holding their own against the best of Europe, Nigerian football fans might soon be cheering more Gulf clubs — especially those who continue to showcase African talent with pride.

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Fluminense, Palmeiras, and Boca Juniors gave spirited performances in the opening days of the new-look Club World Cup in the United States, but Europe’s 13-year dominance over South American clubs remains intact after a series of draws.

Fluminense controlled proceedings against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday but were held to a goalless stalemate by the German side, thanks to a stellar display by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Similarly, Palmeiras dominated Porto but were also forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Argentinian giants Boca Juniors came closest to breaking the European run, racing into a two-goal lead against Benfica before the Portuguese club rallied to secure a 2-2 draw.

The results underscore the challenge South American teams face in ending Europe’s unbeaten streak, which stretches back to Corinthians’ victory over Chelsea in the 2012 Club World Cup final. Since then, European clubs have gone 33 matches without defeat against teams from other continents.

Historically, South American sides enjoyed success in the Intercontinental Cup, a competition that pitted the winners of the Copa Libertadores against the European Cup champions and was the precursor to the Club World Cup.

Memorable triumphs include Penarol’s 4-0 aggregate two-leg victory over Real Madrid in 1966, Pele’s Santos defeating AC Milan in 1963, Zico’s Flamengo beating Liverpool 3-0 in 1981 and Sao Paulo’s victories over stellar Barcelona and Milan sides in the early 1990s.

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

The rivalry sometimes led to ill-tempered clashes, such as Racing Club’s games against Celtic in 1967 and both legs of Argentina’s Estudiantes against Manchester United the following year.

Estudiantes’ second leg against Milan in 1969 ended with three of their players being arrested in the hostile environment of La Bombonera stadium, leading to many European sides refusing to play the fixture during the 1970s.

Tempers calmed as the fixture became a one-off match in 1980 and the competitive level remained fierce and balanced.

However, the landscape shifted dramatically following the 1995 Bosman ruling, which allowed European clubs to field unlimited EU players and bolstered their financial and competitive strength.

South American clubs, meanwhile, have seen their top talent move to Europe at increasingly younger ages.

Before the ruling, South American teams led European sides 20-14 in wins. However, European teams have won 16 of the last 17 finals played, reflecting a widening gap.

The revamped Club World Cup, however, with 32 clubs from around the globe including 12 European and six South American, opened the door for fans to watch different levels of teams from each continent pitted against one another.

“Brazilian teams, Brazilian players are always very strong technically, it’s always difficult to play against them, Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva told Reuters on Tuesday.

“Physically, I think the Brazilian teams will be a little better prepared than us, because they are in the middle of their season. The weather and conditions here are more similar to what they are used to. Small details could make the difference in this kind of tournament.”

Five more intercontinental clashes remain in the group stage, including Thursday’s showdown between Copa Libertadores holders Botafogo and Champions League winners Paris St Germain.

With Brazilian league leaders Flamengo preparing for Friday’s clash against Chelsea with a 2-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis, South American clubs — buoyed by passionate travelling support — are hoping to reignite the intercontinental rivalry and challenge Europe’s supremacy once more.

-Reuters

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Manchester City began their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in their Group G opener on Wednesday, courtesy of first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to start with several key players on the bench, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones for what was a sweltering midday kickoff at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

Despite fielding a second-string side, City needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock.

Phil Foden pounced after Savinho’s cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, with the England midfielder striking a first-time effort into the net to hand City an early lead.

City doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime when Foden delivered a pinpoint corner and Jeremy Doku caught the Wydad defence napping to volley home at the far post.

City finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis was given a straight red card for a nasty studs-up sliding tackle on Samuel Obeng in the 88th minute.

Wydad, undeterred after conceding the early goal, showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack and forward Cassius Mailula nearly equalised with an audacious lob from midfield in the 15th minute.

Moments later, Mohamed Moufid set up Thembinkosi Lorch with a low cross, but the South African forward just failed to get there in time with a sliding effort.

City also had chances to extend their lead before halftime. Omar Marmoush saw his strike from the edge of the box sail just wide, while Nathan Ake’s towering header from a corner went inches over the bar.

At the other end, Wydad squandered a golden opportunity in the 30th minute when Vitor Reis’s misplaced pass gifted the ball to Lorch, only for Mailula’s follow-up shot to be smothered by City keeper Ederson.

After City doubled their lead before the break, the second half saw a dramatic drop in tempo under the scorching midday sun, though City went close to adding a third through Rayan Cherki

The 21-year-old, signed from Olympique Lyonnais for 40 million euros ($46.06 million) ahead of the tournament, unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, only for Benabid to produce a fine save. The Moroccan keeper later denied substitute Haaland with a reflex save in a one-on-one.

City will now turn their attention to Sunday’s clash with United Arab Emirates side Al Ain, while Wydad face Juventus in their next Group G encounter

-Reuters

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