Manchester City Eliminated from Club World Cup as Al-Hilal Win Seven-Goal Thriller in Extra Time

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Manchester City were sensationally knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal edged a thrilling last-16 encounter 4–3 after extra time in Orlando.

Marcos Leonardo struck his second of the evening in the 112th minute to complete an extraordinary upset and secure Al-Hilal’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Brazilian champions Fluminense.

City had taken an early lead through Bernardo Silva in the ninth minute, but Pep Guardiola’s side paid the price for a series of squandered chances, allowing Leonardo and Malcom to hit back after the interval. Although Erling Haaland forced extra time and Phil Foden later equalised once more, it was Al-Hilal who had the final word, with Leonardo netting the decisive goal.

The Premier League giants were repeatedly exposed on the counterattack and failed to match the clinical finishing of their opponents, despite enjoying long periods of possession and dominance.

Guardiola’s Early Control Undone by Wastefulness
Guardiola approached the competition with seriousness, fielding a strong side that began brightly. Rúben Dias had an early opportunity, heading straight at Yassine Bounou, before the opener arrived amidst controversy.

Tijjani Reijnders played in Rayan Aït-Nouri, whose cross appeared to brush his hand before it took two deflections – the second off İlkay Gündoğan’s shoulder – and fell to Silva, who poked the ball past Bounou.

Al-Hilal players surrounded Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela, demanding a handball decision, but the goal stood.

City continued to press and should have extended their lead before the break. Bounou was called upon multiple times, saving from Savinho, Gündoğan, Joško Gvardiol, and Jérémy Doku, while Silva also had a shot parried.

However, Al-Hilal began to find their rhythm, threatening through Leonardo and Malcom. Their warning signs went unheeded, and the Saudis struck twice within the first seven minutes of the second half.

Al-Hilal Turn the Tide
Former City full-back João Cancelo was key to the equaliser, driving in a low cross which Ederson could only parry. Malcom’s rebound was blocked, but the ball looped up perfectly for Leonardo to nod home.

Just moments later, Al-Hilal turned the game on its head. Recycling possession after defending a corner, Malcom broke from halfway and rifled a low shot into the far corner to make it 2–1.

City responded swiftly. A corner from Silva sparked a goalmouth scramble, allowing Haaland to tap in from close range. Yet the goal did little to restore City's composure, as they remained vulnerable at the back.

Dias appeared to concede a penalty when he brought down Malcom in the box, but an offside flag saved City. Manuel Akanji also had to make a critical recovery challenge to stop Malcom, while Mohamed Kanno wasted a free header.

City came agonisingly close when Akanji’s header struck the post, and Haaland’s follow-up was cleared off the line. They pushed for a winner, but Doku was pulled back just seconds before full-time – prompting furious protests from Guardiola as the referee signalled for extra time.

Drama in Extra Time as Al-Hilal Seal Upset
City’s misfortune continued in the added period as they lost Haaland to injury. Their woes deepened when Kalidou Koulibaly restored Al-Hilal’s lead with a powerful header from a set piece.

But the drama was far from over. Phil Foden, who had replaced substitute Rodri after a disappointing display, produced a moment of brilliance by volleying home from a Rayan Cherki cross to make it 3–3.

Just as penalties seemed to be looming, Al-Hilal struck again. Ederson saved a header from Sergej Milinković-Savić, but Leonardo reacted quickest to smash in the rebound, sealing a memorable 4–3 victory and sending the Saudi side into the quarter-finals.