Man City dumped out of Club World Cup by Al-Hilal in major shock result

Pep Guardiola saw his Manchester City side crash out of the Club World Cup as they suffered a huge upset at the hands of Al-Hilal. The Saudi Pro League side shocked City after a seven-goal thriller delivered the most remarkable story of this tournament and the biggest result in Al-Hilal’s history.

City were condemned to finishing the season empty-handed as their last remaining hope of silverware ended in disappointment and shock.

It left City’s players on their knees and looking shell-shocked at the final whistle after 120 minutes of high drama and a thrilling, unforgettable contest in the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

In contrast, Al-Hilal’s collection of former Premier League stars led by ex-Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi could hardly believe it as they celebrated an astonishing upset.

City only had themselves to blame as they were undone in defence, wasted a raft of chances and went back to looking like the team which fell apart during large parts of last season. They have spent nearly £300m in 2025 and yet they were taken apart by the Saudi outsiders and they have expended so much time and energy to come to the United States but are flying home even before the quarter finals.

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Al-Hilal’s hero was two-goal Marcos Leonardo but their collection of ex-Premier League stars Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves played their part while keeper Yassine Bounou made a string of heroic saves. City looked really sharp and in the mood as they took a ninth minute lead even if there looked to be a clear handball in the build-up.

Tijjani Reijnders returned a pass to Rayan Aït-Nouri, the ball clearly hit the City left back on the arm before his cross caused chaos and Bernardo Silva put in the ball from close range. The Al-Hilal players complained to referee Jesus Valenzuela but he let the goal stand. Then the replay was shown on the big screen and Al-Hilal really went crazy because they could see the handball but Valenzuela stuck to his guns.

City should have been out of sight by half time but Al-Hilal keeper Yassine Bounou defied Savinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Jeremy Doku with a string of first half saves. Then came the shock. Within a minute of the restart, Joao Cancelo’s cross was pushed out by City keeper Ederson and Marcos Leonardo headed the ball in amid the scramble.

Soon after, Al-Hilal really stunned City as lightning winger Malcom broke clear, used his pace and then slotted past Ederson. The Al-Hilal players went absolutely crazy. Their lead only lasted three minutes when Silva’s corner found Erling Haaland who could not finish with his head but then netted with the follow-up.

City laid siege to the Al-Hilal goal which led a charmed life when Manuel Akanji headed against the bar and then Haaland’s follow-up shot was heroically hacked off the line.

Guardiola’s men just could not find a way through and it went to extra time when Al-Hilal produced an incredible, unforgettable moment. Ruben Neves’ corner unlocked the City defence, Koulibaly was given too much space and he glanced the ball into the far corner.

Still there was more drama. Two of City’s substitutes combined as Rayan Cherki’s cross was perfect for Phil Foden who sneaked in at the back post and brilliantly guided the ball into the far corner.

Renan Lodi then floated over a cross, Sergej Milinković-Savić’s header was pushed out by City keeper Ederson but it was then bundled in by Leonardo for his second of the game to create one of the great stories of this tournament.

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