Red Bull Salzburg and Al Hilal were forced to settle for a goalless draw in Washington DC, a result that leaves both sides needing a win on the final day to secure passage from Group H at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Al Hilal looked to carry over momentum from their historic draw with Real Madrid and began with intent.

Joao Cancelo had a golden opportunity inside the first three minutes but dragged his shot wide after a slick one-two with Malcom.

Despite dominating much of the first half, the Saudis couldn’t break through, and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was called into action to deny Karim Onisiwo’s inventive header from close range.

Salzburg, patient and probing, improved after the interval and nearly grabbed the lead when John Mellberg’s close-range effort was saved by Bounou, before Kalidou Koulibaly cleared Dorgeles Nene’s rebound off the line.

Al Hilal responded with chances of their own, with Cancelo and Malcom again involved, but the finishing touch continued to elude them.

Salzburg’s energy surged late on, with Yorbe Vertessen going close, but Bounou remained unbeatable.

The result ends Salzburg’s three-match winning run and their 16-game scoring streak, while Al Hilal extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.

As Group H stands, nothing is guaranteed. Salzburg must now beat Real Madrid, while Al Hilal are also under pressure to defeat Pachuca to keep their tournament hopes alive.