Ready for the football drama of the year? Al Hilal, the Saudi champions, pulled off a massive shock at the FIFA Club World Cup by knocking out Manchester City after extra time in a match packed with goals, twists, and nail-biting suspense until the very end!
What happened on the pitch?
Manchester City was the favorite on paper, with Bernardo Silva putting the English side ahead in the 10th minute. But Al Hilal refused to back down. Right at the start of the second half, Marcos Leonardo equalized, and just six minutes later, Malcom gave the Saudi team the lead. But the drama didn’t stop there – Erling Haaland quickly leveled the score, giving fans a match to remember.
Extra time was a nightmare for City
Extra time was an emotional rollercoaster. Koulibaly headed in to make it 3-2, Foden immediately responded to make it 3-3, and then Marcos Leonardo scored his second goal of the match to seal a 4-3 victory for Al Hilal! Yes, you read that right – 4-3! After extra time, Manchester City had to pack up and head home, while Al Hilal advanced to the quarterfinals to face Fluense.
What does this mean for football?
This match proves that in football, nothing is certain. The Saudi team showed they can fight with the biggest names and are no fluke champions. For Manchester City, this is a painful defeat that will leave a mark. Pep Guardiola admitted he saw many good things, but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Quarterfinal schedule
- Fluense vs. Inter, July 4 at 21:00
- Palmeiras vs. Chelsea, July 5 at 03:00
- PSG vs. Bayern, July 5 at 18:00
- Real Madrid vs. Juventus, July 5 at 22:00
Conclusion
If you thought Manchester City would breeze through, think again! Al Hilal showed their teeth and sent one of the favorites packing. Is this the start of a new era in football? Or just one big football fairy tale? Drop your thoughts, maybe it’s time we all start watching football with a bit more respect for the “smaller” teams!
And hey, if you laughed or cried reading this, you’re not alone. Football is crazy, and that’s exactly why we love it!