Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal pulled off a sensational upset on Monday, eliminating European champions Manchester City with a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory in the Club World Cup — the biggest shock of the tournament so far.
The pulsating encounter, played in front of a raucous crowd, ended 2-2 in regulation time before Marcos Leonardo’s extra-time winner sent the Saudi Pro League giants into the quarter-finals, where they will face Brazilian club Fluminense. The result ensures a non-European side will reach the tournament’s last four.
City took the lead in the ninth minute through Bernardo Silva, finishing after a controversial build-up involving Rayan Ait-Nouri. Al Hilal players appealed for a handball, but the goal stood.
Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the first half but failed to convert multiple chances, largely due to the heroics of Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who repeatedly denied Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland.
City were made to pay for their wastefulness just one minute after the restart when Marcos Leonardo equalised, heading home after a blocked shot from Malcolm. Moments later, Al Hilal stunned the Premier League side again, as Malcolm burst clear and calmly slotted past Ederson to give the Saudis a 2-1 lead.
Guardiola responded with three quick substitutions, bringing on Rodri, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji to steady the defence. City eventually drew level when Haaland capitalised on a loose ball from a corner to make it 2-2.
Despite sustained pressure from City — and a series of crucial interventions by Bounou and substitute Ali Lajami — the match headed into extra time.
Al Hilal regained the lead early in extra time when Kalidou Koulibaly powered home a Ruben Neves corner with a superb header. But City hit back again through Phil Foden, who converted Rayan Cherki’s clever ball with a precise finish from a tight angle.
The decisive moment came in the 114th minute. Milinkovic-Savic’s header was parried by Ederson, but Marcos Leonardo was on hand again to smash home the rebound, sealing a famous win for the Riyadh-based side.
An emotional Leonardo dedicated his goals to his mother, who recently recovered from a 70-day ICU stay. “She was able to watch the match,” he said. “I thought of her when I scored.”
City captain Bernardo Silva admitted the team had failed to control the game’s tempo. “It was all about controlling transitions, and we didn’t,” he said. “We allowed them to run too often, and we suffered the consequences.”
The shock result is one of the most significant victories in Middle Eastern club football and marks a major milestone for Al Hilal in their bid to become a global football powerhouse.
