Al Hilal knocks out Manchester City in a thrilling match

Shilpa Rajan July 11, 2025

Al Hilal has advanced to the last eight of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Simone Inzaghi’s team defeated Premier League giants Manchester City in a seven-goal thriller. The Asian giants have booked a match with Brazilian club Fluminense, who also prevailed by beating Inter Milan. Both European giants that played in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League final were shown the exit door.

Al Hilal’s defence frustrates Manchester City

Manchester City were up against one of the best Asian teams, and that too with a new manager. City were one of the favourites to win this competition. Pep strengthened the squad with the likes of Cherki, Ait Nouri, and Reijnders. City took just nine minutes to take the lead.

Bernardo Silva got the crucial breakthrough. Al Hilal could have conceded more, but Bounou made six saves in the first half to deny Pep’s men from scoring another goal in the first 45.

Exciting start to the second half

Simone Inzaghi’s team failed to hit the target in the first half. The second half was a bit different as Al Hilal equalised within a minute of the half. Marcos Leonardo brought the scores at level. Six minutes later, Malcom gave his side the lead. Suddenly, Pep’s men were on the back foot after total domination in the first half.

Erling Haaland brought his team into the game with a goal in the 55^th minute. City were denied four times by Bonou, and the Moroccan goalkeeper left them frustrated on the pitch. Pep’s men had 76% of the ball possession. Manuel Akanji came closest to sealing the game for his side. His attempt in the 84^th minute struck the frame of the goal. The match went into extra time.

Al Hilal takes it in extra time

Al Hilal once again took the lead, and this time through Kalidou Koulibaly. City responded with a goal in the first half of extra time. Phil Foden scored his third goal of the competition to bring his team back into the game. Marcos Leonardo, who led the attack in Mitrovic’s absence, scored the winner in the 115^th minute. Al Hilal advanced to the last eight after a 120-minute thriller.

Fluminense scored twice in a win over Inter

It was a bad day in the Club World Cup for another European team. Italian giants Inter Milan were knocked out of the competition by Brazilian side Fluminense. German Cano scored the opening goal in the third minute. The Brazilian side was already playing in a three-man defence like Inter. They adjusted well to the pace of the game. Fluminense were dependent on counterattacks and the defensive abilities of the players.

Lautaro Martinez and co. were left frustrated as they were denied several opportunities. Hercules scored the second goal of the game in added time. 40-year-old Thiago Silva was a beast at the back for the side. The former AC Milan player stopped the attackers and helped his team maintain the defensive shape. Fluminense will face Al Hilal in the last eight.