In what is being hailed as one of the biggest upsets in FIFA Club World Cup history, Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal stunned reigning European champions Manchester City 4-3 in extra time on Monday (June 30), knocking them out in the Round of 16 and advancing to the quarterfinals.
⚽ Marcos Leonardo the Hero in Extra Time
The match, played in Orlando, ended 2-2 in regulation before Marcos Leonardo sealed an unforgettable victory for Al Hilal with his second goal of the night in extra time. His emotional celebration followed a personal revelation — his mother had spent 70 days in the ICU, and she watched him score both goals that helped make Middle Eastern football history.
“When I scored those two goals, I thought of her. She was able to watch the match,” said Leonardo.
Al Hilal will now face Fluminense of Brazil in the quarterfinals, guaranteeing a non-European team in the last four.
🎯 Match Highlights:
- Man City led 1-0 through Bernardo Silva (9′) after a controversial handball claim.
- Yassine Bounou, Al Hilal’s Moroccan goalkeeper, was a wall — denying Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and others repeatedly.
- Marcos Leonardo (46′) equalised just after half-time.
- Malcolm (52′) put Al Hilal ahead with a lightning counterattack.
- Haaland (68′) levelled for 2-2 after a scrappy corner.
- In extra time:
- Kalidou Koulibaly scored a towering header (94’) to put Al Hilal 3-2 up.
- Phil Foden pulled it back to 3-3 with a brilliant finish (101’).
- Leonardo again (109’) sealed the 4-3 win after Ederson’s save rebounded into his path.
🧤 Star Performer: Yassine Bounou
Bounou delivered one of the best individual performances of the tournament — stopping Haaland multiple times and pulling off crucial late saves and organizing the defence to withstand City’s pressure.
💬 Post-Match Reactions:
Bernardo Silva, City captain:
“We scored three and could’ve scored five or six. But we allowed them to run, and every time they did, it was dangerous. That’s where we lost the game.”
Pep Guardiola made several changes mid-game, but even with the likes of Rodri, Ake, and Akanji coming in, City couldn’t stop the Saudi side’s fearless counterattacks.
📉 Biggest Upset of the Tournament
Al Hilal’s win over a team featuring global superstars like Haaland, Silva, Foden, and Ederson marks a monumental moment for Asian club football, showcasing the depth, talent, and rising competitiveness of Middle Eastern clubs on the global stage.
The shock result ensures that no European team will lift the 2025 Club World Cup, setting up an exciting quarterfinal between Al Hilal and Fluminense.
