Manchester City stunned by Al-Hilal in Club World Cup thriller

Defending champions Manchester City suffered a shock exit from the Club World Cup after a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in extra time at Florida’s Camping World Stadium.

Early lead, controversy, and missed chances

Pep Guardiola’s side started brightly, with captain Bernardo Silva slotting home from close range in the ninth minute after Al-Hilal failed to clear.

However, the Saudi Pro League side were furious as the goal stood despite a possible handball by Rayan Aït-Nouri in the build-up.

City dominated possession and created several chances to extend their lead, but Al-Hilal’s Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was in inspired form.

The former Sevilla shot-stopper denied Savio, İlkay Gündoğan, and Joško Gvardiol with a series of sharp saves, keeping his side in the game at half-time.

Al-Hilal fight back

Just 44 seconds after the restart, Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo headed in the equaliser, capitalising on slack defending.

The turnaround was complete seven minutes later when former Barcelona winger Malcom latched onto an audacious outside-the-boot pass from João Cancelo before calmly slotting past Ederson.

City responded instantly, with Erling Haaland pouncing on a loose ball from a Silva corner to make it 2-2.

Despite relentless pressure, the Premier League giants couldn’t find a winner in normal time, sending the match into extra time.

Drama in extra time

Al-Hilal thought they had won it in the 94th minute when ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly – a rock at the back all night – powered in a header.

But City substitute Phil Foden levelled just three minutes after coming on, squeezing in a finish from a near-impossible angle following a sublime pass from Rayan Cherki.

The decisive moment came eight minutes from time, as Leonardo struck again at the back post to seal a historic victory for the 2021 AFC Champions League winners.

What’s next?

Al-Hilal will now face Brazil’s Fluminense – who stunned Inter Milan 2-0 – in the quarter-finals in Orlando on Friday, 4 July.

Meanwhile, City’s early exit marks a disappointing end to their Club World Cup campaign, raising questions over their ability to retain major trophies this season.