Al Hilal Shocks Man City in Club World Cup Upset; Saudi Investment Pays Off

ORLANDO, Fla. -- In a stunning upset, Al Hilal defeated Manchester City in a 4-3 extra-time victory at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, eliminating the English side from the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Saudi Pro League team secured a quarterfinal match against Fluminense after a match filled with twists and turns.

Manchester City dominated the first half, creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, Al Hilal, despite missing key players Salem Al-Dawsari and Aleksandar Mitrovic due to injury, turned the tide in the second half, with Marcos Leonardo scoring the decisive goal in the 112th minute.

Pep Guardiola reflects on Manchester City's unexpected Club World Cup exit.

Al Hilal's victory underscores the impact of significant investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, aiming to elevate the club to compete with European powerhouses. Their initial 1-1 draw against Real Madrid was a prelude to this momentous win against Man City.

Pep Guardiola acknowledged the unexpected defeat, highlighting the financial implications for Manchester City, who missed the opportunity to significantly increase their prize money.

"It is a pity," Guardiola stated. "The vibe was really good. I cannot thank Manchester City enough and especially the players for training and how they have been playing. The margins are minimal."

He added, "We would have loved to have continued, only here once every four years. We had a feeling that the team is doing well, but we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season."

FIFA may view the match as a successful showcase for the expanded Club World Cup format. The game featured numerous goals, scoring chances, and drama, captivating fans in a near-full stadium.

During the first half, Man City had multiple chances to score, with Rúben Dias, Savinho, Ilkay Gündogan, Josko Gvardiol, and Jérémy Doku all coming close.

Al Hilal's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made several crucial saves, but Bernardo Silva managed to score after a deflection, despite Al Hilal's claims of a handball in the buildup.

Despite Man City's apparent control, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic revealed that Al Hilal's coach, Simone Inzaghi, urged the team to maintain their belief.

Al Hilal quickly equalized after the restart with a goal from Marcos Leonardo, followed by Malcom scoring just minutes later, capitalizing on defensive errors from Man City.

Erling Haaland leveled the score, but Man City's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again, nearly resulting in a penalty for Al Hilal.

The game remained chaotic, with both teams creating opportunities. Manuel Akanji cleared a shot off the line for Man City, and Haaland hit the post.

In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead, and after Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden equalized for Man City, Marcos Leonardo scored again to secure Al Hilal's victory.

Guardiola lamented his team's openness, stating, "We were so open. When the crosses arrived, in the first action, they had the ability to pass the ball and attack -- and they have quick players."

He added, "We created a lot and had a lot of chances against a team that defend so deep. They punished us on the transitions."

Milinkovic-Savic responded to criticisms about players moving to the Saudi League, emphasizing the team's competitive spirit.

"Let's see now if they will criticise us," he said. "We showed them it's not like they are speaking about the league. We show against Real Madrid, Salzburg, Pachuca and tonight. I hope we will continue to show it."

Al Hilal will now face Fluminense, while Manchester City shifts its focus back to the Premier League.