In a monumental upset that sent shockwaves across the football world, Saudi Arabian club Al hilal defeated English Premier League giants manchester City 4-3 in extra time during the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16. The dramatic encounter unfolded on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Marcos Leonardo emerged as the hero for Al Hilal, scoring the decisive goal in the 112th minute to eliminate the reigning Premier League champions from the tournament in a truly unforgettable match.
This stunning victory marked perhaps the biggest upset of the competition and stands as a historic triumph for Middle Eastern football. Al Hilal, often seen as underdogs against the formidable Manchester City squad led by Pep Guardiola, displayed incredible resilience and tactical acumen. The match itself was a thrilling, back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times before being settled deep into extra time.
A Game of Twists and Turns
From the opening whistle, the match promised excitement. Manchester City, expected by many to dominate, took an early lead in the ninth minute. Bernardo Silva found the net with a close-range finish following a move that originated from Rayan Ait-Nouri. While Al Hilal players protested, claiming a handball in the build-up, the goal stood, giving City the anticipated advantage.
Despite conceding, Al Hilal showed they wouldn’t be easily intimidated. Their defense, anchored by a standout performance from Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, worked hard to repel City’s attacks. Bounou made several crucial saves in the first half, denying clear opportunities for City forwards, including Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, keeping the scoreline at a manageable 1-0 deficit heading into halftime. Al Hilal also posed a threat on the counter-attack, hinting at their attacking potential.
Al Hilal’s Rapid Second Half Response
The start of the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Al Hilal came out with renewed intensity and quickly leveled the score. In the 46th minute, immediately after the restart, Marcos Leonardo headed home an equalizer. The goal followed a low cross from former City player Joao Cancelo that was parried by Ederson, then blocked by Ruben Dias, before looping up perfectly for Leonardo.
Just six minutes later, Al Hilal stunned City by taking the lead. Exploiting City’s high defensive line, Joao Cancelo delivered a long pass that Malcom expertly chased down. The Brazilian forward used his pace and power to drive into the box before calmly finishing into the bottom-right corner in the 52nd minute. Suddenly, the Saudi club held a surprising 2-1 advantage.
Manchester City, however, responded swiftly. Just three minutes after falling behind, they equalized from a corner kick. The Al Hilal defense failed to clear a delivery from Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland reacted fastest to pounce on the loose ball and turn it in from close range in the 55th minute, making the score 2-2. The rapid exchange of goals highlighted the match’s unpredictable nature.
Extra Time Drama Unfolds
With the score tied at 2-2 after full time, the match headed into extra time. Both teams pushed for a winner, but outstanding goalkeeping from Bounou for Al Hilal, who finished the match with an incredible 10 saves, kept City at bay. In the 84th minute of regulation, City came agonizingly close when Manuel Akanji headed against the post. Later, a goal-line clearance by substitute Ali Lajami prevented an Erling Haaland effort from finding the net, ensuring the match would go beyond 90 minutes.
Four minutes into the first period of extra time (94th minute), Al Hilal regained the lead. Ruben Neves delivered a precise corner kick, and Kalidou Koulibaly rose powerfully to head the ball with a brilliant angled finish over Ederson, putting Al Hilal ahead 3-2.
Manchester City again showed their quality and responded about 10 minutes later. Substitute Phil Foden, who had entered the match just four minutes before Koulibaly’s goal, received a floated pass from Rayan Cherki at the back post. Stretching at full reach from a tight angle on the left side of the six-yard box, Foden expertly poked the ball home to equalize once more in the 104th minute, bringing the score to 3-3.
Marcos Leonardo Secures Historic Win
The dramatic back-and-forth continued into the second period of extra time. With penalties looming, Al Hilal found the crucial breakthrough in the 112th minute. A header by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from inside the penalty box was saved by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. However, the ball deflected directly to Marcos Leonardo near the left post. Leonardo reacted instantly, bundling the rebound over the line with his right foot as he fell, securing his second goal of the match and the historic 4-3 victory for Al Hilal.
The final whistle confirmed the monumental upset, sending Al Hilal players and staff into jubilant celebrations while Manchester City faced the disappointment of an early exit. The match drew 42,311 spectators to Camping World Stadium, witnessing an instant Club World Cup classic.
Statistical Snapshot of the Contest
While the scoreline tells the ultimate story, match statistics revealed City’s territorial and shot dominance that ultimately didn’t translate into victory. Manchester City outshot Al Hilal 30-17 overall and held a 14-6 advantage in shots on target. Despite generating a higher expected goals (xG) figure (4.21) compared to Al Hilal’s (3.16), City struggled to convert their chances, scoring four goals from 14 shots on target.
Conversely, Al Hilal was clinical, scoring four goals from just six shots on target. This efficiency, combined with Yassine Bounou’s exceptional goalkeeping (10 saves), proved decisive. The match highlighted City’s defensive vulnerabilities on the night, conceding four goals after allowing only two in their previous 11 Club World Cup matches under Pep Guardiola.
Reactions from the Managers
Speaking after the match, Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi (as identified in one source summary) expressed immense pride in his team’s achievement. He stated that defeating a team as formidable as Manchester City “looked impossible yesterday,” underscoring the magnitude of the upset.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the loss was “a pity.” Despite the disappointment of being eliminated from a tournament that occurs only every four years, Guardiola offered a stoic assessment, saying, “Nothing to say. We’ll have to continue. I still have the feeling this team is doing well.” Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva commented on the difficulty in controlling Al Hilal’s counter-attacks and transitions, noting that the Saudi club ran “way too many times” and constantly posed a threat.
Looking Ahead for Al Hilal
With this historic victory, Al Hilal advances in the FIFA Club World Cup. Their next challenge will be facing Brazilian club Fluminense in the quarterfinals. Fluminense secured their spot by defeating Champions League finalists Inter Milan 2-0 earlier the same Monday. The quarterfinal match between Al Hilal and Fluminense is scheduled for Friday, July 4, back at Camping World Stadium. The winner will move on to face either Chelsea of England or Brazil’s Palmeiras in the semifinals.
Al Hilal’s win ensures that a non-European team will reach the tournament’s last four, a significant development in a competition often dominated by clubs from UEFA and CONMEBOL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score and how was the Al Hilal vs Manchester City match decided?
Al Hilal defeated Manchester City with a final score of 4-3. The match was decided in extra time after being tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Marcos Leonardo scored the winning goal for Al Hilal in the 112th minute of the extra period, following a rebound off a save by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.
Who were the key players and goal scorers in the Al Hilal vs Man City Club World Cup match?
Key goal scorers for Al Hilal were Marcos Leonardo (two goals, including the winner), Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Manchester City’s goals came from Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden. A key performer for Al Hilal was goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who made 10 saves to keep his team in the contest against heavy City pressure.
What does the Al Hilal victory mean for the Club World Cup tournament?
Al Hilal’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City eliminates the English Premier League champions from the tournament in the Round of 16. It is considered a major upset. Al Hilal now advances to the quarterfinals where they will face Brazilian club Fluminense. This result guarantees that a non-European team will reach the semifinals of the Club World Cup.
Conclusion
The Club World Cup encounter between Al Hilal and Manchester City delivered an extraordinary spectacle. Al Hilal’s stunning 4-3 extra-time victory, sealed by Marcos Leonardo’s late goal, will be remembered as one of the most significant upsets in the tournament’s history and a proud moment for Saudi Arabian football. Despite Manchester City’s statistical dominance, Al Hilal’s clinical finishing, goalkeeper heroics, and unwavering determination proved too much on the night. The Saudi club now looks ahead to a quarterfinal clash with Fluminense, carrying the momentum of a truly epic win.
