Wednesday’s FIFA Club World Cup match between Red Bull Salzburg and Pachuca was halted for 97 minutes when a severe thunderstorm hit Cincinnati.
Play was halted at 7:13pm local time in the 54th minute with Salzburg leading 1-0 at TQL Stadium due to intensifying rain, thunder and lightning. Referee Mustapha Ghorbal led the players of both teams off the field, while the supporters in attendance retreated to the shelter of the concourses. It came a day after the Group F clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan was delayed for 65 minutes due to weather concerns in Orlando.
Shortly after the suspension, the cameras belonging to official tournament broadcaster DAZN captured the extreme weather, with heavy rainfall affecting visibility inside the stadium and lightning in the sky above it:
Current conditions at TQL Stadium ⛈️😬
Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #PACSAL pic.twitter.com/ZLpGL56xkH
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025
A statement issued by FIFA to explain the delay read: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Cincinnati, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of TQL Stadium, the match between CF Pachuca and FC Salzburg has been suspended.
“FIFA will follow the established safety protocols and the match will resume as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of both teams and fans—at the stadium and around the world tuning in live via DAZN—as we continue to prioritise the safety of everyone involved.”
Pachuca supporters maintained their spirits during the lengthy delay by singing songs inside the safer environs of the stadium concourse.
¡La banda de los @Tuzos no deja de apoyar! 🗣️💙
A pesar de la tormenta en Cincinnati, la afición de Pachuca lo está dando todo en el #MundialDeClubes. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/RLdxssqwkg
— TNT Sports México (@tntsportsmex) June 18, 2025
Salzburg had taken the lead in the 42nd minute when Oscar Gloukh curled a right-footed shot beyond Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno from outside the penalty area.
Salomon Rondon missed several opportunities to bring Pachuca level either side of half-time, including one good opportunity shortly before play was halted.
Both teams returned to the pitch to warm up at 8:30pm local time and the match resumed at 8:50pm local time, with Pachuca’s Bryan Gonzalez pulling his side level within minutes thanks to a fine left-footed free-kick. However, Salzburg regained the lead in the 76th minute, with a neat header from sub Karim Onisiwo putting the Austrian side on course for victory.
(Top photo: Oscar Fuentes / Jam Media / Getty Images)
