Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal produced a monumental upset at the FIFA Club World Cup, eliminating defending champions Manchester City with a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory in a thrilling round-of-16 encounter on Monday.
Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo scored the decisive goal in the 112th minute, capping an incredible seven-goal contest and sending the Premier League giants crashing out of the tournament.
Manchester City, who had cruised through their group stage, took an early lead when captain Bernardo Silva scored from close range inside the first 10 minutes. However, Al-Hilal stunned Pep Guardiola’s side with two goals in a remarkable seven-minute spell at the start of the second half.
Just 44 seconds after the restart, Marcos Leonardo headed in an equaliser. Former Barcelona winger Malcom then put the Saudi champions ahead in the 52nd minute with a cool finish. City responded almost immediately, with Erling Haaland poking in from a corner three minutes later to level the score at 2-2.
The match went to extra time, where the drama continued. Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly powered in a header in the 94th minute to restore Al-Hilal’s lead. City substitute Phil Foden kept his side’s hopes alive, squeezing home a volley from a tight angle to make it 3-3.
But with penalties looming, Marcos Leonardo became the hero, converting at the back post with just eight minutes remaining to deliver a historic victory for his side.
Al-Hilal’s Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, was instrumental in the win, making a total of 10 saves to deny City’s potent attack throughout the match.
The result is a significant moment for the revamped Club World Cup, as a team from outside Europe dumped one of the tournament favourites out on the global stage.
Al-Hilal will now remain in Orlando for a quarter-final clash on Friday against Brazilian side Fluminense. The winner of that tie will face either Chelsea or Palmeiras in the semi-finals.
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