Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Manchester City 4-3 in extra time during the Club World Cup on Monday. The match, held at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, ended 2-2 after regulation time, but Al Hilal emerged victorious with a dramatic winner from Marcos Leonardo.
Manchester City started strong, taking the lead in the ninth minute with a controversial goal from Bernardo Silva. Al Hilal players argued that Rayan Ait-Nouri had handled the ball before the goal, but the referee allowed it to stand. City had several chances to extend their lead, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made crucial saves to keep Al Hilal in the game.
The turning point came shortly after halftime. Former City player Joao Cancelo set up the equalizer when his parried cross fell to Marcos Leonardo, who headed the ball into the net. Just minutes later, Malcolm scored again for Al Hilal, putting them ahead 2-1. City responded with a goal from Erling Haaland, who capitalized on a corner kick situation to make it 2-2.
As the match progressed, City pushed hard for a winner, but Bounou continued to thwart their efforts. In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly scored with a well-placed header from a corner, giving Al Hilal a 3-2 lead. City equalized again through Phil Foden, who scored from a tight angle. However, Al Hilal quickly regained the lead when Marcos Leonardo bundled in his second goal, sealing the victory.
This win is considered one of the greatest moments in Middle Eastern football history. Al Hilal now moves on to face Brazilian club Fluminense in the quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement for non-European teams in the tournament.
After the match, Marcos Leonardo expressed his joy, dedicating his performance to his mother, who had recently recovered from a serious illness. City’s Bernardo Silva reflected on the match, noting that their inability to control Al Hilal’s counter-attacks ultimately cost them the game.
This thrilling encounter not only showcased the competitive spirit of the tournament but also highlighted the growing strength of teams from outside Europe.