Al Hilal Stuns Manchester City with 4-3 Victory in Club World Cup Thriller

Al Hilal pulled off a major upset in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, defeating Manchester City 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling Round of 16 clash held in Orlando.

Manchester City started strong, taking the lead through Bernardo Silva in the 9th minute. Erling Haaland added a second goal early in the second half, seemingly putting City in control with a 2-0 advantage. However, Al Hilal responded with determination and flair.

Marcos Leonardo struck back for the Saudi side in the 46th minute, followed by a goal from Malcom just six minutes later to level the score. Kalidou Koulibaly then gave Al Hilal the lead with a powerful header in the 94th minute during extra time.

Although Phil Foden managed to bring City back into the game with an equalizer in the 104th minute, Marcos Leonardo scored again in the 113th to seal the win for Al Hilal.

This result marks one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, knocking out the reigning European champions in their first match of the competition. City, who were considered one of the top contenders, now exit the tournament earlier than expected.

Al Hilal’s win not only boosts the reputation of Asian club football but also highlights their tactical growth and resilience under head coach Simone Inzaghi. The team will now face either Fluminense or Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.

City’s early exit will be a concern for manager Pep Guardiola, who acknowledged before the match that Al Hilal could pose a serious challenge. His side, despite their star-studded lineup and early dominance, failed to maintain control when it mattered most.

With this historic victory, Al Hilal becomes the first Saudi team to defeat Manchester City in a competitive match, underlining the growing competitiveness of non-European clubs in the global tournament.