Al Hilal Eliminates Manchester City In Club World Cup Upset/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal shocked Manchester City 4-3 in an extra-time thriller at the Club World Cup. Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute goal sealed the win after a rollercoaster match in Orlando. City’s exit leaves Al Hilal to face Fluminense for a semifinal spot.
Orlando, Fla. (AP) — Al Hilal pulled off a stunning 4-3 upset over Manchester City in the Club World Cup round of 16 on Monday night, sending shockwaves through world football thanks to a dramatic extra-time winner from Marcos Leonardo.
Playing at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, the Saudi side took the lead three times in a match full of twists and turns. Kalidou Koulibaly scored in the 94th minute to give Al Hilal a 3-2 advantage, only for Phil Foden to level for City in the 104th after coming off the bench.
But Al Hilal would not be denied. In the 112th minute, Leonardo pounced on a rebound after Ederson saved a header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Falling near the left post, the striker slotted the ball home with his right foot, securing Al Hilal’s famous victory.
Leonardo, who also scored in the 46th minute to tie the game at 1-1, proved decisive throughout. Bernardo Silva had opened the scoring for City in the ninth minute before Malcom put Al Hilal ahead in the 52nd. Erling Haaland quickly responded for City in the 55th to make it 2-2.
City nearly stole the win in regulation, launching a counterattack in the dying seconds of added time that was halted by a fierce challenge. No penalty was given, prompting an irate Pep Guardiola to storm onto the pitch to protest.
Al Hilal now advances to face Fluminense of Italy on July 4 for a place in the semifinals.
A crowd of 42,311 witnessed the seven-goal spectacle, leaving fans buzzing about one of the biggest upsets in Club World Cup history.
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