Football fans around the globe — and especially here in Kenya — were treated to one of the most dramatic FIFA Club World Cup encounters in recent memory, as Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal stunned tournament holders Manchester City in a breathtaking 4-3 extra-time victory in Orlando. The win sees Simone Inzaghi’s side advance to the quarter-finals, where they’ll meet Brazil’s Fluminense.
⚽ First Half: Controversy and City Dominance
Pep Guardiola’s City, unbeaten in the competition until now, entered the game as heavy favourites. Just nine minutes in, Bernardo Silva tapped in a controversial opener, with replays showing a potential handball from İlkay Gündoğan in the build-up. Although VAR dismissed it, the big-screen replay triggered heated protests from Al Hilal players, causing a lengthy restart.
Despite the early drama, City dominated the half, peppering Al Hilal’s goal with attacks. But Yassine Bounou stood tall, making critical saves from Erling Haaland, Savinho, and Jérémy Doku to keep it 1-0 at the break.
🔁 Second Half: Al Hilal Turn the Tide
Whatever Simone Inzaghi told his team at half-time worked wonders. Within seven minutes of the restart, Al Hilal flipped the script:
- Marcos Leonardo bundled in an equalizer.
- Malcom sprinted from midfield to calmly slot home Al Hilal’s second.
Though Haaland quickly responded to make it 2-2, and a Malcom penalty was ruled out by a tight offside call, the momentum had shifted.
⏱️ Extra Time: Late Drama and Heroic Finish
City looked set to grind it out, especially after Ali Lajami cleared Haaland’s goal-bound effort off the line in the dying minutes of regular time. But just minutes into extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly rose highest to head in a pinpoint Rúben Neves corner, restoring Al Hilal’s lead.
City responded swiftly again through Phil Foden, introduced by Guardiola, who lashed home a brilliant equalizer to make it 3-3.
But fate had other plans. In the 113th minute, Ederson denied Milinković-Savić with a stunning save, but the rebound fell kindly to Marcos Leonardo, who bundled the ball home to seal Al Hilal’s place in the quarter-finals and send the defending champions packing.
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