Club World Cup champions Manchester City were eliminated by Al Hilal in a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory in Orlando.
The match ended 2-2 in regulation time but Al Hilal secured the win in extra time following a decisive goal by Marcos Leonardo, delivering a historic moment for the Saudi Arabian club.
Al Hilal will encounter Brazil’s Fluminense in the quarterfinals, guaranteeing a non-European team in the semifinals.
The European powerhouse took an early lead in the 9th minute, with Bernardo Silva scoring after Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross.
Al Hilal equalized after halftime when Marcos Leonardo headed in a rebound from a Joao Cancelo cross. Six minutes later, Cancelo’s long ball set up Malcolm, who outpaced City’s defence to give Al Hilal the lead.
City pressed for a winner, but Bounou and a goal-line clearance by Ali Lajami kept them at bay.
In extra time, Al Hilal regained the lead through Kalidou Koulibaly’s header, only for Phil Foden to equalize with a superb finish. Leonardo struck again, bundling in a rebound to seal the victory.
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva admitted their flaws.
“We scored three and could’ve scored five, six. It was all about controlling when we lost the ball, controlling the transitions, don’t let them run, and they ran way too many times. With one, two passes, there was always a feeling of danger coming from them. When we allow teams to run like this, we always suffer a lot, and today was the case” He said.
Al Hilal will encounter Brazil’s Fluminense.
