Manchester City vs Al Hilal: Expecting the Unexpected in the Club World Cup
It’s not every day the reigning Premier League champions get knocked off their pedestal by a team that most European fans didn’t peg as favorites. Yet, that's exactly what happened when Manchester City clashed with Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup on June 30, 2025. The pre-match chatter centered on City’s predicted lineup and whether they could field their strongest eleven amid a packed summer calendar. On the Saudi side, there was curiosity about how a blend of veteran internationals and fresh local talent would measure up to England’s finest.
On paper, City’s depth looked unassailable. Even though specific lineup details ahead of the match stayed under wraps, key names were never in doubt. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland all made the starting cut and wasted no time putting their stamp on the game. Silva opened the scoring with a composed finish in just the ninth minute. City fans briefly exhaled—familiar territory, right?
But football is rarely so predictable. Al Hilal’s coach went with a bold mix, starting Yassine Bounou in goal and building a solid defensive core of João Cancelo (on loan from Barcelona), Kalidou Koulibaly, and Renan Lodi. Midfield boss Rúben Neves marshaled the tempo, with Mohamed Kanno and teenager Mohamed Al Harbi offering energy on either side. Up front, Marcos Leonardo and Salem Al-Dawsari brought both flair and a cutting edge—traits that would come to haunt City.
Upset Unfolds: Goals, Drama, and History Made
City took a one-goal lead into halftime, but the second half flipped the narrative. Marcos Leonardo pounced with a quick equalizer, and Malcom put Al Hilal ahead with a surprise strike minutes later. If City looked rattled, Haaland didn’t show it. The Norwegian striker shrugged off defenders and leveled with a power header in the 55th minute. Parity restored, but tension building on both benches.
A relentless Al Hilal pressed on, spurred by the crowd and hunger for a historic scalp. Koulibaly’s thumping header in extra time tipped the scales. Still, City refused to roll over—Phil Foden slalomed through the defense and tucked away a low shot to draw them back. As fans caught their breath, the Saudi side sliced through one last time. Leonardo notched his second of the night in the 113th minute, sealing a 4-3 shocker that will be talked about for years.
Behind the scenes, City’s usual tactical discipline cracked against Al Hilal’s directness. The decision to stick with big guns like Haaland and keep creative playmakers like Silva and Foden on the pitch showed Pep Guardiola’s intent to clinch an early victory. Instead, the gamble exposed defensive frailties rarely seen in domestic competition. On the other side, Al Hilal’s calculated risks—throwing on attacking subs like Michael Al Qahtani and Abdullah Al-Hamdan—kept up the pressure and ultimately paid off.
The match, refereed by Venezuelan official Jesús Valenzuela, didn’t lack for controversy or edge. VAR checks, tight offside calls, and crunching tackles all featured. But the real story was an Al Hilal team brimming with belief, outplaying giants and securing a Club World Cup upset that instantly entered tournament folklore.