Marcos Leonardo’s Extra-Time Heroics Seal Dramatic 4-3 Victory for Saudi Arabian Side
In a match that will be remembered for its relentless drama, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal pulled off a stunning upset, knocking Manchester City out of the Club World Cup with a 4-3 victory in extra time. The thrilling encounter, played in front of 42,311 fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, saw Al Hilal fight back repeatedly before Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner sealed their place in the next round.
The game was a rollercoaster from the start. Manchester City struck first through Bernardo Silva in the ninth minute, but Al Hilal responded just after halftime when Leonardo leveled the score. The Saudi side then took the lead in the 52nd minute thanks to Malcom, only for Erling Haaland to equalize three minutes later.
As the match stretched into extra time, the tension soared. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead again in the 94th minute, but City substitute Phil Foden thought he had rescued his team with a 104th-minute equalizer. The decisive moment came eight minutes later—Leonardo pounced on a rebound after Ederson saved Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header, slotting home the winner while tumbling to the ground.
Manchester City nearly stole victory in the dying seconds of regulation, but a last-ditch tackle denied them a clear chance, sparking furious protests from Pep Guardiola, who stormed the pitch after the final whistle.
Al Hilal’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, hailed his team’s resilience: “We defeated a very, very strong team. That looked impossible yesterday.” Guardiola, meanwhile, was left to rue missed opportunities: “It’s a pity… We’ll have to continue. I still believe in this team.”
Al Hilal now advances to face Italy’s Fluminense on July 4 for a spot in the semifinals, while Manchester City heads home early in a shocking early exit from the tournament.
Similar Posts:
- Guardiola Looks to Next Season After Man City’s Shock Club World Cup Exit
- Al Hilal Advances to Club World Cup Quarter-Finals After Dominant Win Over Pachuca
- Al-Hilal Stun Real Madrid in Miami Heat as European Giants Escape With Lucky Draw
- Pep Guardiola Hints at Manchester City Farewell After Sixth Premier League
- Guardiola Confused by VAR Decision in Manchester City’s Dramatic 2-1 Win Over Wolves
