On July 1, 2025, Manchester City suffered a sensational 4-3 extra-time defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup, ending their tournament as favourites. The thrilling match in Orlando showcased Al-Hilal’s resilience and City’s defensive lapses.
Manchester City took an early lead through Bernardo Silva’s ninth-minute goal, despite Al-Hilal’s protests over a possible handball by Rayan Aït-Nouri. City dominated the first half, with goalkeeper Bono making crucial saves to deny Savinho, Ilkay Gündogan, and Josko Gvardiol. However, Al-Hilal roared back after halftime, with Marcos Leonardo equalising 44 seconds in and Malcom scoring in the 52nd minute for a 2-1 lead. Erling Haaland levelled the score, but Phil Foden’s volley matched Kalidou Koulibaly’s 94th-minute header. Leonardo’s 112th-minute strike sealed Al-Hilal’s victory.
MOTM performance from Yassine Bounou this evening for Al Hilal 🧱
He had 10 saves vs. Manchester City which is tied for the most in a game this CWC 🧤
Bounou leads the tournament with 23 saves in four matches. BRICK WALL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cefStUUWC5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 1, 2025Leonardo, aged 22, delivered a career-defining performance, scoring twice, while Bono’s 10 saves, including critical stops, earned him accolades. Former City player João Cancelo contributed to Al-Hilal’s attack. For City, Haaland and Foden showed fight, but defensive errors, including Akanji’s missed chance, proved costly. Pep Guardiola’s side, despite their dominance, couldn’t capitalise on opportunities, marking a rare early exit.
Al-Hilal STUN Manchester City in the RO16 of the Club World Cup 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1Z7Ei1wHqc
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 1, 2025Al-Hilal advances to face Brazil’s Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4 in Orlando, with the winner meeting Chelsea or Palmeiras in the semi-finals in New York or New Jersey. The upset follows strong showings by Brazilian teams, with Botafogo and Flamengo also defeating European sides, which has boosted South American hopes in the expanded 32-team tournament.
Read: Fluminense Stuns Inter Milan 2-0 to Reach Club World Cup 2025 Quarter-Finals
Manchester City’s shock defeat highlights the competitiveness of the Club World Cup, where underdogs like Al-Hilal can topple giants. The result underscores Saudi football’s growing prowess and raises questions about City’s defensive stability under pressure. This upset captivates global fans, setting the
