Pachuca-Salzburg Club World Cup clash in Cincinnati endures lengthy weather delay

CINCINNATI – The beautiful game took an unscheduled backseat to the raw power of Mother Nature on Wednesday, as the FIFA Club World Cup group stage clash between Mexico’s C.F. Pachuca and Austria’s RB Salzburg at TQL Stadium was halted for a lengthy period due to a severe thunderstorm that rolled through the Cincinnati area.

The Group H encounter, a pivotal match for both sides in the newly expanded 32-team tournament, was suspended in the 54th minute of play with RB Salzburg holding a slim 1-0 advantage. The sudden change in weather saw players and officials ushered off the pitch and spectators urged to seek shelter as lightning spiderwebbed across the darkening sky and thunder echoed ominously around the stadium.

What began as a promising evening of international club football, with fans braving the humid Ohio Valley air, quickly turned into a waiting game. Stadium announcements and social media updates became the new focal point as the delay stretched on, testing the patience of the international crowd and the contingency plans of the tournament organizers.

Before the heavens opened, the match had been a tightly contested affair. RB Salzburg’s Israeli international, Oscar Gloukh, had broken the deadlock just before halftime with a well-taken strike in the 42nd minute, silencing the vocal contingent of Pachuca supporters.

The CONCACAF Champions Cup holders, Pachuca, had come out for the second half with renewed vigor, pressing for an equalizer. However, their momentum was abruptly cut short when referee Mustapha Ghorbal, following established safety protocols, signaled for the immediate suspension of play.

This marks the second consecutive day that the inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup, being held across the United States, has been impacted by adverse weather. A match in another host city on Tuesday also experienced a delay due to a storm, raising questions about the scheduling of fixtures during a time of year known for volatile weather patterns in many parts of the country.

After a delay that lasted for over an hour, the storm cell finally passed, and stadium crews worked diligently to ensure the pitch remained playable. Following a warm-up period for the players, the match official’s whistle finally signaled the resumption of play.

The break seemed to initially favor the Mexican side. Just two minutes after the restart, in the 56th minute, Pachuca found their equalizer through a composed finish from Bryan González, sending their fans into a belated frenzy.

However, the Austrian champions were not to be denied. In a dramatic turn, substitute Karim Onisiwo found the back of the net for RB Salzburg, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory and a crucial three points in their campaign for a spot in the knockout stages.

While the match will be remembered for the on-field drama, the lengthy weather delay served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable elements that can influence the global sport, leaving both teams to regroup and refocus after a night of football and fury from the sky.