Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal pulled off a shocking 4-3 win over Manchester City on Monday night, dumping the reigning English champions out of the FIFA Club World Cup in dramatic fashion.
The thrilling match, played in Orlando, ended 2-2 in regular time before going into extra time, where Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo netted the decisive goal and sparked wild celebrations.
City had taken an early lead in the 9th minute through Bernardo Silva, but Al Hilal hit back strongly. Marcos Leonardo drew them level just after the break, then Malcolm made it 2-1, punishing City’s high defensive line.
Erling Haaland responded with an equaliser to force extra time, but Al Hilal weren’t done. Kalidou Koulibaly’s header gave them a 3-2 lead before Phil Foden made it 3-3. Then came the moment that sealed the upset — a rebound fell kindly to Leonardo, who tucked it in for his second of the night.
Manchester City had chances to win it, but goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and a brave Al Hilal defence stood firm. Even a late goal-line clearance denied Haaland, summing up City’s frustration on the night.
Leonardo, emotional after the match, revealed he was playing for his mother who had just recovered from a life-threatening illness. “She spent 70 days in the ICU. I thought about her when I scored,” he said.
City skipper Bernardo Silva admitted his team were caught out too often. “We allowed them to run too much. With just one or two passes, they always looked dangerous.”
Al Hilal now move on to face Brazil’s Fluminense in the quarter-finals, while City make an early and unexpected exit from a tournament they were tipped to dominate.
