Summary:
- Al Hilal knocked Manchester City out of the Club World Cup with a dramatic 4–3 extra-time win.
- Marcos Leonardo scored twice, including the match-winner in the 112th minute.
- City wasted numerous chances and were repeatedly punished on the counter.
Manchester City’s bid for Club World Cup glory came to a stunning halt in Orlando as Saudi side Al Hilal delivered a 4–3 extra-time knockout blow in an electrifying last-16 clash.
City Controlled First Half, Al Hilal Turned the Game in Second
Pep Guardiola’s side came out with intent and grabbed an early lead just nine minutes in when Bernardo Silva poked the ball past Yassine Bounou. However, Al Hilal players were furious over what looked like a possible handball in the buildup.
Despite dominating possession and carving out several good looks, City failed to capitalize and let the game hang open.
Bounou denied multiple efforts from Savinho, Gundogan, Gvardiol, and Doku to keep Al Hilal in the game.
City’s wastefulness came back to bite them just after halftime. Within seven minutes of the restart, Al Hilal had turned the game around.
Marcos Leonardo headed in the equalizer after a scramble in the box, and former Barcelona winger Malcom raced half the pitch before firing low into the corner to make it 2–1.
Haaland quickly answered back, tapping in the rebound from a corner to bring City level at 2–2. Still, the team looked stretched and exposed, leaving plenty of gaps for Al Hilal to exploit.
Malcom nearly won a penalty and tested Ederson again, while Mohamed Kanno missed a free header.
More Chaos in Extra Time
Extra time delivered even more chaos. Kalidou Koulibaly powered in a header to restore Al Hilal’s lead. Phil Foden, coming off the bench, volleyed home Rayan Cherki’s cross to tie things up at 3–3.
But with just minutes remaining, Ederson’s save from a Milinkovic-Savic header fell perfectly for Leonardo, who slammed home the winner to complete his brace and seal a famous upset.
Guardiola said after,
It is a pity, We created a lot… but we were so open. In the end, we have to score and be clinical.
Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team’s heart:
We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, and we were great.
City’s exit ends hopes of an all-English semifinal against Chelsea, while Al Hilal will now face Fluminense, who pulled off their own surprise by beating Inter Milan.
For Guardiola and City, it’s a painful lesson in what happens when chances go begging, and how quickly things can unravel on the break.