Al Hilal shock Manchester City 4-3 in Club World Cup thriller
Marcos Leonardo scored a dramatic extra-time winner in the 112th minute to hand Al Hilal a stunning 4-3 victory over Manchester City on Monday night, knocking the English champions out of the Club World Cup in a round of 16 thriller.
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Leonardo netted his second goal of the match after pouncing on a rebound from close range. Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson had just saved a powerful header from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but the ball landed at Leonardoโs feet.
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As he fell near the left post, the Brazilian forward guided the ball in with his right foot, sending the Saudi Arabian side into the quarterfinals.
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In a match full of twists and momentum swings at Camping World Stadium, Al Hilal took the lead three times โ including twice in extra time โ and held on. Kalidou Koulibaly fired them ahead 3-2 in the 94th minute, only for substitute Phil Foden to draw City level in the 104th.
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Leonardo had earlier cancelled out Bernardo Silvaโs ninth-minute opener with a clinical finish in the 46th minute. Malcom gave Al Hilal a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute, before Erling Haaland made it 2-2 just three minutes later.
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The game saw late drama in regulation as City nearly clinched a winner on a last-gasp counterattack, only to be denied by a heavy challenge inside the box.
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Referee Cรฉsar Ramos waved play on, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola stormed onto the pitch after the final whistle to protest the decision, though no penalty was awarded.
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Al Hilal now advances to face Fluminense of Italy on 4 July at the same venue for a place in the semi-finals. Fluminense booked their quarter-final spot earlier in the day with a win over Inter Milan.
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โWe defeated a very, very strong team. That looked impossible yesterday,โ said Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi after the final whistle.
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Guardiola, visibly disappointed, said, โItโs a pity… Nothing to say. Weโll have to continue. I still have the feeling this team is doing well. Weโll go home and have time to rest.โ