Al Hilal showcased a landmark performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, beating English champions Manchester City 4-3 in an electrifying extra-time battle held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The result not only sends the Saudi side through to the quarterfinals but also marks a defining moment in their quest to establish themselves among the global elite.
Despite being without key figures Salem Al-Dawsari and Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Riyadh-based club showed extraordinary character and depth to outlast one of the competition’s strongest challengers. Marcos Leonardo proved to be the hero, scoring the winning goal in the 112th minute to secure a thrilling victory. This sets up an exciting showdown with Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense.
The match began with Manchester City asserting dominance in the first half, capped by Bernardo Silva’s opener. However, Al Hilal returned from the break with renewed energy and belief — qualities instilled by recently appointed head coach Simone Inzaghi. Within seconds of the restart, João Cancelo’s cross found Leonardo, who nodded home the equalizer and shifted the momentum.
From that point on, the game unfolded into a goal-filled spectacle. Malcom fired Al Hilal ahead before Erling Haaland responded for City. Yet the Saudi side’s relentless pressure caused continued problems, with Malcom again at the center of an almost-penalty incident, narrowly ruled out for offside.
Extra time offered no relief from the drama. Kalidou Koulibaly restored Al Hilal’s lead with a powerful header, only for City to level again through a beautifully worked move by substitutes Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden. But Al Hilal had the final word. When Milinkovic-Savic’s header was parried by Ederson, Leonardo reacted quickest, completing his brace and sealing a historic win.
While Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the quality of his side’s performance, he admitted defensive openness cost them:
“We created a lot and played well, but small details decided the match. Now we focus on upcoming matches.”
For Al Hilal, the result signifies more than just progress in the tournament — it underscores their emergence as a serious force in world football. Fuelled by strategic investments and world-class talent, the club continues to challenge perceptions about the competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League.
Midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who joined Al Hilal from Lazio in 2023, reflected the pride felt across the squad:
“We’ve shown we have tried at the highest level. This win is for everyone who believes in the project and the potential of our league.”
With momentum firmly on their side, Al Hilal now prepare for a high-stakes encounter with Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense, aiming to take one step closer to the final — and to footballing history.
