In a stunning turn of events, Al Hilal delivered one of the biggest upsets in the FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Manchester City 4-3 in extra time. The match, held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, saw the Saudi Pro League side overcome the Premier League giants in a thrilling encounter.

First Half Dominance

Manchester City started strong, creating numerous scoring opportunities in the first half. Players like Rúben Dias, Savinho, and Ilkay Gündogan had chances, but Al Hilal's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made several crucial saves. Bernardo Silva managed to score, giving City a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Second Half Comeback

Al Hilal came out with renewed vigor in the second half. Marcos Leonardo equalized just 44 seconds after the restart, capitalizing on a chaotic cross from João Cancelo. The momentum shifted dramatically when Malcom scored a quick counter-attack goal, putting Al Hilal ahead. Erling Haaland leveled the score for City, but defensive lapses continued to haunt them.

Extra Time Drama

The match went into extra time, where Kalidou Koulibaly headed in to give Al Hilal the lead again. City fought back with a sublime goal from substitutes Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden, making it 3-3. However, Marcos Leonardo sealed the victory for Al Hilal by scoring the decisive goal in the 112th minute.

Post-Match Reflections

Pep Guardiola expressed disappointment, acknowledging City's defensive vulnerabilities. "We were so open," he said. "They punished us on the transitions." Al Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who was outstanding throughout the match, highlighted the team's ambition and resilience.

Looking Ahead

Al Hilal will face Fluminense in the quarterfinals, while Manchester City will turn their attention to the Premier League. This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that football can bring.