Al-Hilal pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over Manchester City at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, eliminating the Premier League giants in a match that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s most dramatic encounters. The Saudi Pro League side, led by new manager Simone Inzaghi, showcased resilience and tactical brilliance to overcome a Manchester City team that had dominated the group stage with a perfect record.
The match began with Manchester City asserting their authority early, as Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a well-placed strike, capitalizing on a slick passing move that tore through Al-Hilal’s defense. City, under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, looked poised to continue their group-stage form, where they scored a tournament-high 13 goals. However, Al-Hilal, buoyed by their experienced backline featuring João Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly, refused to buckle. Just 46 seconds into the second half, Marcos Leonardo equalized for Al-Hilal, pouncing on a loose ball to level the score at 1-1. The Saudi side then took a shock lead through Malcom, whose clinical finish in the 51st minute silenced the City faithful.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s talisman, responded swiftly, heading in a corner in the 55th minute to make it 2-2, setting the stage for a tense second half. Despite City’s dominance in possession and shot count, Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved a formidable barrier, making crucial saves, including a goal-line clearance that kept his side in the game. As the match ticked toward the 90-minute mark, both teams traded blows, but neither could find a winner, forcing the game into extra time.
The extra-time period was a rollercoaster of emotions. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al-Hilal ahead 3-2 in the 94th minute with a towering header, only for Phil Foden, introduced as a substitute, to equalize in the 104th minute with a composed finish. Just when it seemed the match was destined for penalties, Marcos Leonardo struck again in the 112th minute, heading in a rebound after Ederson parried a shot from Sergej Milinković-Savić. The Brazilian’s second goal of the night sparked wild celebrations among Al-Hilal’s players and fans, as they held firm to secure a historic victory.
Manchester City’s defeat was compounded by controversy, with Pep Guardiola visibly furious after a penalty appeal was waved away late in the game, prompting the Spaniard to storm onto the pitch to confront the referee. Despite City’s protests, the decision stood, and Al-Hilal advanced to face Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4. The Brazilian side had earlier stunned Inter Milan, setting up another intriguing clash at Camping World Stadium.
For Manchester City, the loss marks a bitter end to their Club World Cup campaign, despite their scintillating group-stage performances, which included a 5-2 thrashing of Juventus. Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring form continued, but it was not enough to overcome Al-Hilal’s dogged determination and clinical finishing. The match also saw Rodri return from a long-term knee injury, though he was limited to a substitute role, and his impact was not enough to turn the tide.
Al-Hilal’s victory is a testament to their growing stature on the global stage, with Inzaghi’s tactical acumen and the contributions of high-profile signings like Leonardo, Malcom, and Bounou proving decisive. The Saudi club, backed by significant investment, demonstrated they can compete with Europe’s elite, having already held Real Madrid to a draw in the group stage. As they prepare to face Fluminense, Al-Hilal will carry the momentum of this monumental upset, while Manchester City return home to regroup, their dreams of Club World Cup glory dashed in a seven-goal epic.