5 Key Takeaways
- Al‑Hilal stun Manchester City 4–3 in extra time, ousting them in the last 16
- Marcos Leonardo nets twice, including a dramatic 112th-minute winner
- Kalidou Koulibaly and Malcom also score; City reply via Silva, Haaland, and Foden’s 100th goal
- Yassine Bounou delivers 10 crucial saves to keep Al‑Hilal in contention
- Man City miss out on £9.6M prize money and face elimination before the quarter-finals
Historic Collapse in Orlando
Manchester City’s Club World Cup journey ended in heartbreak as they were knocked out 4–3 by Al Hilal after extra time. Despite dominating the game and scoring first through Bernardo Silva, City failed to hold their lead. Goals from Malcom and Marcos Leonardo turned the game on its head, exposing cracks in City’s defense.
Late Drama: Leonardo’s Second Sinks City
In extra time, Koulibaly’s header gave Al Hilal the lead, but Phil Foden’s milestone 100th goal for City brought it back to 3–3. Just when penalties seemed inevitable, Leonardo popped up again—slotting home the winner in the 112th minute, completing a historic brace.
Bounou Stands Tall in Goal
Yassine Bounou delivered a world-class performance, making 10 crucial saves to keep Al Hilal in the fight. His composure under pressure and lightning reflexes were key to repelling City’s attacking trio and preserving the lead when it mattered most.
Guardiola’s City Pay the Price
City’s defensive lapses and missed chances proved costly, not only ending their Club World Cup hopes but also denying them a £9.6 million financial reward. The early exit is a rare blemish for Guardiola’s side, who were firm favorites to win the tournament.
Al Hilal Rise, Fluminense Await
This landmark victory cements Al Hilal’s growing global reputation. Led by Simone Inzaghi, they now face Fluminense in the quarter-finals, flying the flag for Saudi football on the world stage.
🏁 Stay Tuned with Goal Drift
Al Hilal’s 4–3 victory over Manchester City—driven by Marcos Leonardo’s heroics, Bounou’s brilliance, and Koulibaly’s leadership—will be remembered as one of the great Club World Cup shocks. Follow Goal Drift for full coverage of their next test against Fluminense and City’s reaction to this seismic setback.
