Al-Hilal's Stunning Late Winner Sinks Man City in Club World Cup Nail-Biter
If you thought Manchester City had a clear path to another Club World Cup title, think again. Last night at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, football fans got a rarity: a heavyweight like City falling to a team few expected, with Al-Hilal pulling off a heart-racing 4-3 win after extra time. The result jolted City supporters and brought disbelief and joy alike across the football world. Broadcast across DAZN and Channel 5, the match had people up late in the UK and even earlier in Australia, but hardly anyone regretted staying awake for this.
City went in looking every inch the defending champion. They'd breezed through the group stage, brushing off Juventus with a 5-2 masterclass and showing little weakness throughout. Al-Hilal, under Simone Inzaghi, had yet to lose in this tournament, but up against Pep Guardiola and his juggernaut, few gave the Saudi side more than a puncher's chance. Instead, Al-Hilal left as giant-killers, and the Camping World Stadium buzzed with one of those rare tournament upsets where almost anything felt possible.
Drama Unfolds: From City's Early Edge to Al-Hilal's Late Heroics
The drama started brewing early. Bernardo Silva fired City ahead, making it look like business as usual. But Al-Hilal didn’t blink. Marcos Leonardo and Malcom both found the net, and suddenly City trailed—a sight fans haven’t seen much under Guardiola on world stages. Cue Erling Haaland, who levelled for City before regulation was up, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the world’s best finishers.
With the score knotted 2-2, the game drifted into extra time. Tension was thick—and neither side played it safe. Kalidou Koulibaly, Al-Hilal’s defensive rock, surprised everyone with a goal, though City’s own Phil Foden hit back to stretch everyone’s nerves out even further. It all pointed to penalties, but football loves a twist. In the dying seconds, Marcos Leonardo doubled his tally in the 120th minute, not just breaking City’s hearts but sending a huge roar through the Al-Hilal faithful. It pushed them on to face Fluminense in the semis—making this the first tournament where two non-European clubs will battle for a place in the final.
The upset comes after City’s storming group-stage run, where their possession and heavy-press style left rivals scrambling. Yet, this time, Al-Hilal’s resilience and sharp finishing exposed cracks. Simone Inzaghi’s calm tactical tweaks—especially in midfield—spelled trouble for City, whose usually bulletproof back line was left scrambling on more than one occasion.
This isn’t just another surprise. Al-Hilal becomes the second non-European side, along with Fluminense, to crack the semis in a Club World Cup edition where the old certainties seem to be shifting. With football fans still buzzing over the late drama, it’s clear the game’s global landscape is getting less predictable—and a lot more fun.
