By our reporter 1-7-2025
Defending champions Manchester City were bundled out of the Club World Cup by Saudi side Al Hilal with a 4-3 win in their round of the 16 clash Monday.
Before the shock result, City were one of the favourites to reach the final having gone past the group stage with ease, but at the Camping World Stadium, Orlando, USA they paid dearly for missed opportunities and good goalkeeping by Yassine Bono for Al Hilal.
Bernado Silva opened the scoring for City, Al Hilal responded through Marcos Leonardo in the 46th minute. Malcom increased Al Hilal’s tally, but City restored hope with Earling Haaland’s 55th minute goal. Kaillou Koulibaly put Al Hilal in front in extra time, Phil Foden handed City a lifeline, but Marcos Leonardo nailed it for Al Hilal in the 112th minute.
The match finished 2-2 at full-time, but at the end of an eventful extra-time, Marcos Leonardo grabbed the winner and pulled off one of the greatest wins in Middle Eastern football history.
“It is a pity. We have been on incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good,” Guardiola sighed.
“I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.
“But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot and [Yassine] Bounou made incredible saves – but we were so open.
“We would have loved to have continued. It will only be once every four years, and we had a feeling that the team was doing well. But we go home and now it is time to rest – rest our minds for the new season.”