Man City 3 Al-Hilal 4: City dumped out of club World Cup in huge shock after dramatic late defeat to Saudi side
Pep Guardiola's men looked to be coasting to the quarter-finals as they dominated the first half and took an early lead through
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Man City have been dumped out of the Club World Cup
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Marcos Leonardo netted a brace for Al-Hilal in the last 16 tie
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Bernardo Silva opened the scoring
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Chelsea flop Kalidou Koulibaly found the net in extra-time
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Yet Simone Inzaghi's side hit back to take the lead within seven minutes of the restart.
And despite equalisers from
th
minute to put the holders out.
Al-Hilal – who qualified for this tournament by winning their version of the Champions League in 2021 – held Real Madrid to a draw in their opening game.
They have paid Inzaghi a basic salary of around £25 million per year to leave Inter within weeks of leading them to the Champions League and move to the Middle East.
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Yet in the opening exchanges, they looked to be no match for City – who would have been out of sight but for the excellence of goalkeeper Bono.
For the fourth time in four games in this tournament, City were ahead inside the first 10 minutes – but this one came in controversial circumstances.
Rayan Ait Nouri appeared to handle before getting over a cross that was cleared straight into the shoulder of the on-rushing Ilkay Gundogan.
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Bernardo stabbed home the loose ball and the goal stood despite the furious protests of the Al-Hilal players.
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City had got lucky with that one but looked to put the game to bed and Al-Hilal were grateful to Bono for smart saves from
The Morocco international – who was outstanding in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – also tipped over a
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Pep Guardiola joined by daughter Valentina on Man City bench at Club World Cup clash
Savinho chipped in a cross that was volleyed straight at Bono by Doku as another chance went begging.
Al-Hilal conceded just one goal in their three group matches – yet they had been completely run ragged by City in the first half.
However, within a minute of he re-start, Inzaghi's side were level as
When Malcom's shot was blocked it bounced up kindly for Marcos Leonardo who nodded in from close range.
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And six minutes later, the Saudi side were ahead as City committed too many men forward for a corner and were caught out.
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Erling Haaland fired some from close range
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Phil Foden reached a landmark 100th goal for Man City
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Malcom has put Al-Hilal ahead before Haaland's goal
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Cancelo's pass sent Malcom racing clear and he showed great composure to beat his fellow Brazilian Ederson.
A big shock suddenly looked on the cards and Pep Guardiola sent on three subs – including Ballon D'Or winner Rodri.
And one of the replacements,
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An incredible start to the second half continued as Dias sent Malcolm tumbling in the box – and the ref pointed to the spot – only for the linesman's flag to come to City's rescue.
Both sides had chances to win it with Doku nodding over from close range and Mohamed Kanno missing an even better chance at the other end.
Then an Akanji header bounced back off the woodwork and Haaland's effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by Ali Lajami.
So it went to extra time and amazingly Al-Hilal were back in front within four minutes of the restart.
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Still though there was another twist as two subs combined –
And just when it looked to be heading for penalties Renan Lodi's cross was headed goalwards by Sergei Milenkovic-Savic.
Ederson made the save but it only went into the path of Leonardo who bundled the ball in.
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City huffed and puffed to try to find a way back in yet again but it wasn't to be – and completely unexpectedly, they will be heading home today.
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Pep Guardiola was left scratching his head after the match
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Getting out of their group at the Euros proper won't be easy either, as they have been drawn again with England, along with the Netherlands and Ireland's playoff conquerors, Wales. Any team that can escape that group has to be considered among the favourites, and France are well placed to lay claim to that status. In striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and midfielder Grace Geyoro, both of whom represent PSG, they boast unquestionably two of the world's best players. Yet their record in the competition is less than spectacular. In eight appearances, their best performance was reaching the semi-finals in 2022, when they were knocked out by Germany. 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