In one of the most major upsets in the history of the Club World Cup, Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal shocked English champions Manchester City 4-3 in extra time in their last-16 match in Orlando.Â
The match started at breakneck pace for City and they had more than enough opportunities to take it out of Al Hilal’s reach but were swamped by an Al Hilal side desperate to win who just would not be beaten.
Pep Guardiola’s team were on track for an easy victory after they had been given the initiative by Bernardo Silva in the early stages of the ninth minute. Profligacy at the front and defensive mistakes would ultimately nullify City’s superiority in the opening half. Savinho, Gundogan, Gvardiol, and Doku misses enabled Al Hilal to remain in the contest, and City were punished mercilessly in the second half by the Saudi outfit.
Al Hilal, far from being daunted by their stars from the visiting side, responded with two quick-fire goals. Marcos Leonardo from a rebound from the initial block by Malcom was the first to give the score a lead. Almost a minute into it, Malcom also proved himself worthy with an instant counterattack, sending the ball into the far corner to make the Saudi champions start commanding.
City responded in a hurry. There was a desperate sprint from the corner that was cut short by Erling Haaland to tie the score once more, taking the tie into extra time. The match went further with each side trading blows like heavyweight title contenders in a fight for a championship belt.
Al Hilal had leveled the 100th minute through Kalidou Koulibaly, whose bullet header gave the Saudis their third. But City were not leaving without a bang. Sub Phil Foden, who himself had replaced another sub, Rodri, in a surprise swap, volleyed an equalizer which again left City level.
But Al Hilal would be the only side remaining with the last word to say. Leonardo, who was already on the board, was at the right spot at the right time when Ederson pushed Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header. Leonardo walked in the winner easily, rounding out a brilliant night for Riyadh’s team.
With this surprising result, Al Hilal proceeds to face Fluminense in the quarterfinals after the Brazilian club’s own surprise move of beating Inter Milan. The Manchester City loss sends all-English hopes of a semifinal clash with Chelsea to the graveyard, as Chelsea will now play Palmeiras in their own quarterfinal game.
City’s away game will be a trial of their defense and attack, and Al Hilal’s historic win is proof of the evolving level of football in Saudi Arabia.
