Man City stunned by Al-Hilal, leaving Guardiola in disbelief
In a dramatic turn of events at the Club World Cup, Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia pulled off a shocking upset against Manchester City, securing a 4-3 victory in a thrilling last-16 match. The Saudi side, under the guidance of new coach Simone Inzaghi, showcased their resilience and counterattacking prowess, exploiting Manchester City's defensive vulnerabilities to claim one of the greatest results in their history.
Inzaghi, who previously coached Inter Milan, moved to Saudi Arabia following a 0:5 defeat with Inter Milan in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. He was full of praise for his Al-Hilal players, describing them as extraordinary and likening the victory to climbing Mount Everest without oxygen.
The match began with Manchester City dominating possession and control, with Bernardo Silva scoring an early goal in the 9th minute. However, Al-Hilal responded strongly after the break, with Marcos Leonardo equalizing for the Saudi side in the 55th minute. Ex-Barcelona winger Malcom then added another goal for Al-Hilal in the 62nd minute, turning the tide in their favour.
The match went into extra time after Erling Haaland and Phil Foden leveled for Manchester City. But Al-Hilal's resilience shone through. Kalidou Koulibaly, a former Chelsea FC player, headed the Saudi side back into the lead in the 94th minute of regular time, and Marcos Leonardo scored a late winner in the 112th minute, sealing a stunning 4-3 victory.
Pep Guardiola, coach of Manchester City, expressed disappointment after the loss, noting that his team created a lot of opportunities but allowed Al-Hilal to capitalize on transition moments. The upset has raised questions about Manchester City's defensive frailties heading into the new season, while Al-Hilal aims to continue showcasing their talent and worthiness at the Club World Cup.
The Camping World Stadium was boiling with enthusiastic fans cheering on as Al-Hilal advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face Fluminense from Brazil, who defeated Inter Milan 2:0. This victory marks a significant day for Saudi football, and Inzaghi's coaching skills are being hailed as a key factor in Al-Hilal's success. Goalkeeper Bono made significant saves for Al-Hilal, including one against Ilkay Guendogan, ensuring that the Saudi side held on to their lead.
In the end, Al-Hilal's counterattacking prowess and ability to exploit Manchester City's defensive fragility proved to be the difference, as they claimed a memorable victory in the Club World Cup.
[1] Source: BBC Sport [2] Source: Sky Sports
Inzaghi, having previously managed European powerhouses like Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, now adds Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia to his list of experiences, following their impressive victory in the Champions League.
The resilient Saudi team, under Inzaghi's guidance, showcased their strategic attacking skills and defensive resilience, particularly in European leagues, as they successfully defeated Manchester City.
