Shocking Exit of Manchester City: Saudi Club Al-Hilal Eliminates English Giants from World Cup 2025
In a dramatic and electrifying match held in Orlando, English football club Manchester City faced an unexpected and heartbreaking defeat against the Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This game turned out to be one of the most thrilling contests of the tournament, marked by intense battles and spectacular moments. The match ended with the score tied at 2:2 after regulation time, but in extra time, the Saudi team secured a stunning 4:3 victory, shocking fans and experts alike. Throughout the game, both teams demonstrated their tactical brilliance and technical skill, creating a tense atmosphere that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. For Manchester City, goals were scored by Silva at the 9th minute and Haaland midway through the second half — at the 55th minute. The Saudi team, under the confident leadership of goalkeeper Bunu, managed to neutralize many dangerous attacks from their opponents. In the second half, Al-Hilal equalized the score with a goal from Marcos Leonardo at the 46th minute, followed by Malcom’s strike at the 52nd minute, making the score 2:2. Despite numerous attempts, neither side could clinch victory during regulation, which led to a dramatic extension where Foden scored the decisive goal at the 104th minute. The Saudis responded with two additional strikes, with Marcos Leonardo completing a double and scoring the third goal at the 112th minute. Notably, Manchester City had several other promising moments to score but were thwarted by the outstanding performance of Al-Hilal's goalkeeper. This unexpected defeat has become a shockwave in the football world, questioning the traditionally perceived dominance of European clubs in global tournaments. It marks a turning point in the tournament’s landscape, with Al-Hilal progressing further and setting the stage for future titanic clashes. Their next opponent will be Brazilian club Flamengo, who surprisingly advanced past the finalists of the Champions League, Inter Milan. Meanwhile, there are reports that legendary footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović publicly supported Lionel Messi after his Argentine team’s loss in the knockout stage, adding more intrigue to the tournament's unfolding drama. The encounter has left fans eager for the upcoming matches and the possibility of unexpected twists as the competition for the world’s top football trophy continues.