Football has a funny way of repeating itself, but with a nasty twist. If you ask any of the 40 million Flamengo fans about Al Hilal, you’ll likely see a physical wince. It’s that sort of rivalry. It’s not a local derby, and they don't play in the same hemisphere, yet the history between these two has become a defining saga of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The narrative is usually simple. South American giants are supposed to stroll past Asian champions to set up a dream final against Europe. That’s the script.
Except Al Hilal didn't read it.
The Day the Script Flipped in Tangier
Back in February 2023, the vibe in Tangier was electric. Flamengo, fresh off a Copa Libertadores title, arrived in Morocco with a sense of destiny. They had "Gabigol" (Gabriel Barbosa) and Pedro. They had the history of their 2019 win over Al Hilal in the bag. Honestly, most pundits were already talking about the potential Flamengo vs Real Madrid final before the semi-final even kicked off.
Bad move.
Al Hilal, the "Blue Wave" from Riyadh, turned the Ibn Batouta Stadium into a graveyard for Brazilian dreams. It took exactly four minutes for the chaos to start. Matheuzinho tripped Luciano Vietto, and Salem Al-Dawsari—the man who famously haunted Argentina at the 2022 World Cup—slotted the penalty.
Pedro equalized with a clinical finish at the 20-minute mark, and for a second, it felt like the natural order was restored. But football is rarely that kind.
The real turning point? Stoppage time in the first half. Gerson, already on a yellow, stepped on Vietto. Penalty. Red card. Al-Dawsari scored again. Suddenly, Flamengo were down a goal and a man, staring at 45 minutes of uphill climbing against a team that was keeping the ball like prime Barcelona.
Why Luciano Vietto Was the Real Nightmare
Everyone talks about Al-Dawsari, and rightly so. Scoring three goals across two different meetings against Flamengo is legendary status. But in that 2023 upset, Luciano Vietto was basically a ghost that Flamengo’s defense couldn't touch.
The third goal was a masterclass. Vietto took a touch, shimmied past David Luiz—who has seen everything in world football—and smashed it off the underside of the bar. It was violent and beautiful.
Pedro scored again in the 91st minute to make it 3-2, but it was too little, too late. The upset wasn't just a fluke; it was a tactical dismantling.
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Remembering the 2019 "Heist" in Doha
To understand why the 2023 loss hurt so much, you've got to look back at the 2019 semi-final in Qatar. It was the exact opposite. Al Hilal, then led by Sebastian Giovinco, actually dominated the first half. Al-Dawsari (him again!) put the Saudis ahead early.
Flamengo looked sluggish.
Then, Jorge Jesus, who had previously managed Al Hilal and knew their DNA, flipped a switch at halftime. Flamengo came out like a different beast.
- De Arrascaeta leveled it.
- Bruno Henrique headed home the lead in the 78th minute.
- An Ali Al-Bulaihi own goal sealed a 3-1 win.
That night in Doha gave Flamengo fans a false sense of security. They thought they had Al Hilal figured out. They thought the gap between South American and Saudi football was a chasm.
It wasn't.
The Tactical Shift: More Than Just Oil Money
A lot of casual fans dismiss Al Hilal’s success as just "buying talent." While they do have massive resources, that’s a lazy take. In the matches against Flamengo, the difference was often the tactical discipline of their local core mixed with high-level imports.
Look at the midfield battles. In 2023, Gustavo Cuéllar—a former Flamengo idol—was anchoring the Al Hilal midfield. He knew exactly how to frustrate his former teammates. He played with a "nothing to lose" intensity that Flamengo’s stars couldn't match.
The Brazilians often rely on individual brilliance from Gabigol or the predatory instincts of Pedro. But when you’re down to ten men and the opposition is moving the ball through Saud Abdulhamid and André Carrillo with surgical precision, individual brilliance isn't enough.
The Salem Al-Dawsari Factor
You can't write about Flamengo vs Al Hilal without mentioning Salem Al-Dawsari. He is the common thread.
- 2019: Scored the opener.
- 2023: Scored two penalties and assisted the winner.
He’s arguably the greatest Asian player to never play regularly in Europe’s top five leagues. His composure in high-pressure moments—whether it's against Flamengo or against Messi's Argentina—is what separates Al Hilal from other clubs outside of Europe. He doesn't fear the big names. He expects to beat them.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
People think this is a lopsided history because Flamengo is the "bigger" global brand. But the head-to-head is dead even: one win each, five goals for Al Hilal, four for Flamengo.
There's also a misconception that Flamengo "choked" in Morocco. If you watch the full match replay, Al Hilal actually outplayed them even before the red card. They were sharper in transition. They were more physical.
The Saudi Pro League's evolution has changed the math for the Club World Cup. By the time the 2025/2026 iterations of these global tournaments roll around, the "upset" label might not even apply anymore.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following these teams or looking at future matchups in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup format, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Red Cards: In both major meetings, discipline was an issue. Andre Carrillo saw red for Al Hilal in 2019; Gerson saw red for Flamengo in 2023. These games are high-friction.
- The "Ex-Player" Curse: Watch out for players moving between these clubs. The familiarity often breeds a tactical advantage, as seen with Cuéllar and even manager Jorge Jesus’s history with both.
- Style Matchup: Al Hilal struggles when teams press them high and fast (like Flamengo's second half in 2019). Flamengo struggles when they are forced to defend deep and deal with technical wingers (like Vietto and Al-Dawsari).
- Pedro is the Lock: Even when Flamengo loses, Pedro finds the net. He’s scored in almost every major international appearance for the club lately.
To stay ahead of the next chapter in this rivalry, track the Asian Champions League and Copa Libertadores form cycles simultaneously. The momentum usually shifts based on which league is mid-season versus which is in pre-season during the winter tournament window.