Al Hilal Stuns Manchester City in Club World Cup Thriller
What a dramatic night of football! If you're a Manchester City fan, this one will sting for a while. In an unforgettable Club World Cup showdown, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were shockingly eliminated by Saudi giants Al Hilal, with a final score of 3-4 after extra time . And yes, you heard that right—City, the treble winners not long ago, are out, and it wasn’t just any team that did it—it was Al Hilal, led masterfully by Simone Inzaghi, in just his debut tournament in charge.
Let’s talk about Rodri for a moment—City's midfield engine and arguably their most consistent performer over recent seasons. Strangely enough, he didn’t start. According to reports, Guardiola chose to rest him after returning from a serious knee injury. He eventually came on during the second half, but the damage had already started, and his impact felt minimal in a match that slipped further and further out of City’s control.
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The game itself was a rollercoaster. Bernardo Silva gave City an early lead, and from there, it looked like business as usual—more than 70% possession, wave after wave of attacks, and yet… they couldn’t kill the game. Marcos Leonardo, Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly had other ideas. The Saudi side stayed disciplined and ruthless on the counter. Koulibaly’s towering header and Marcos Leonardo’s late brace, including the match-winner in the 111th minute, sealed what has to be the biggest result in Al Hilal’s history.
Phil Foden did manage to bring City back momentarily in extra time, but it wasn’t enough. Bono, the former Sevilla keeper, had a night to remember, pulling off save after save—including a last-minute parry that denied City one final gasp.
Rodri’s late introduction was puzzling. Given City’s lack of midfield control in the latter stages, many fans are questioning why he wasn’t introduced sooner. Was it a fitness concern? A tactical decision? Either way, it didn’t work. Without his usual composure and rhythm, City looked disjointed and exposed—something we rarely see under Guardiola.
In the end, it’s not just a defeat—it’s a reality check. The world’s most expensive squad, loaded with superstars, outdone by a team with grit, belief, and a clear plan. Al Hilal now move on to face Fluminense in the quarter-finals, while City are left to pick up the pieces of a season that, for all its potential, ends in bitter disappointment.
Football, as they say, never stops surprising us. And tonight, it delivered one of the most shocking upsets in recent memory.
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