Man City Knocked Out by Al Hilal – Club World Cup 2025 Shock
In a stunning upset at the Club World Cup 2025, Man City were knocked out by Al Hilal in the Round of 16. The dramatic encounter ended 4–3 after extra time in favor of the Saudi Arabian giants at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
This unexpected defeat marks one of the biggest upsets in the competition's recent history, raising serious questions about Manchester City's tactics, selection, and defensive vulnerability.
Manchester City vs Al Hilal – Match Overview
Pep Guardiola’s side entered the Club World Cup 2025 as tournament favorites after securing another treble-winning season. However, they were stunned by a resilient and tactically sharp Al Hilal, who came from behind twice and ultimately delivered the knockout blow in extra time.
Final Score:
Manchester City 3 – 4 Al Hilal (AET)
Goalscorers:
- Man City:
- Bernardo Silva (19’)
- Erling Haaland (73’)
- Phil Foden (106’)
- Al Hilal:
- Marcos Leonardo (46’, 112’)
- Malcom (61’)
- Kalidou Koulibaly (98’)
Match Analysis – Man City Knocked Out by Al Hilal
Despite dominating possession (71%), Manchester City struggled in key defensive moments, allowing Al Hilal to capitalize with pace and precision.
Match Stats:
| Metric | Man City | Al Hilal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 71% | 29% |
| Total Shots | 22 | 11 |
| Shots on Target | 12 | 7 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% | 79% |
| Fouls | 9 | 14 |
| Corners | 12 | 3 |
Al Hilal’s keeper, Yassine Bounou, played a crucial role with 9 saves, keeping the Saudi side in contention. On the other hand, City's high defensive line was punished multiple times by the quick counterattacks and clever movement of Leonardo and Malcom.
Tactical Takeaways
Guardiola’s Gamble Backfires
- Starting without Phil Foden, who eventually scored, surprised many.
- Substitutions came late, especially when Al Hilal turned the tide.
Al Hilal’s Masterplan
- Coach Simone Inzaghi executed a compact and disciplined system.
- Al Hilal exploited spaces left behind by City’s fullbacks with ruthless efficiency.
Post-Match Reactions
Simone Inzaghi (Al Hilal Coach):
“This win is like climbing Everest. We believed, we executed, and we delivered.”
Pep Guardiola (Man City Manager):
“We made mistakes we can’t afford at this level. Credit to Al Hilal. They were brave.”
Fans across the globe echoed similar sentiments, praising Al Hilal’s courage and composure while questioning City’s overconfidence and tactical decisions.
What’s Next After Club World Cup 2025 Exit?
Al Hilal now move to the quarterfinals, where they will face Fluminense, who defeated Inter Milan. For Manchester City, this early exit from the Club World Cup 2025 is a major blow to their season ambitions, potentially impacting team morale as they return to Premier League and Champions League duties.
Summary – A Night to Remember
The story of Man City getting knocked out by Al Hilal at the Club World Cup 2025 will go down in tournament folklore. It was a night where determination, grit, and sharp tactics triumphed over experience and possession.
- Al Hilal shocked the world
- Marcos Leonardo starred with 2 goals
- City’s defense faltered under pressure
- Extra time thriller with 7 total goals
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Final Words
Stay tuned for more analysis and expert football content as the Club World Cup 2025 continues to surprise. Can Al Hilal go all the way? Time will tell.
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