Kalidou Koulibaly declared Al Hilal’s 4-3 triumph over Manchester City as a testament to the Saudi side’s quality and determination, following a gripping contest that propelled the club into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Senegalese centre-back, who scored the decisive goal in extra time, played a crucial role in a match that will go down as one of the tournament’s most memorable.
His commanding presence at the back and timely intervention at the other end sealed a dramatic win against the reigning European champions, who had yet to taste defeat in the competition until this encounter.
Speaking to DAZN shortly after the final whistle, Koulibaly reflected on a match that demanded everything from his team: “We knew the challenge in front of us.
Manchester City are among the very best in world football. But we wanted to demonstrate what Al Hilal stands for—our strength, our vision, and our quality. I believe we did exactly that tonight.”
Koulibaly, who captains the Senegalese national team, credited his side’s collective resilience, especially in weathering multiple waves of pressure from Pep Guardiola’s men.
“We stayed compact defensively and remained patient,” he said. “In matches like this, chances are few, and we took ours when it mattered. It was a demanding game, but our unity and mentality carried us through.”
His goal, Al Hilal’s third of the night, came deep into extra time—an emphatic finish that not only turned the tide but also made history.
With the strike, Koulibaly became the first Senegalese player to score in a Club World Cup match. But personal accolades were quickly brushed aside in favour of the team’s achievement.
“Scoring in a match of this magnitude is special,” he admitted. “To do it against City, a club with so much talent and experience, is something I’ll never forget.
But the most important thing is the team’s progress. We remained disciplined and committed to our game plan until the very end.”
The match itself was a thrilling affair, with both sides exchanging momentum throughout. City, known for their fluid attacking play, were met with a disciplined and organised Al Hilal side that refused to back down.
Each goal was hard-fought, and the Saudi team’s belief never wavered, even as City pushed relentlessly for a winner in the dying stages.
This victory secures Al Hilal’s place in the next round, where they are set to face Brazilian giants Fluminense on Friday. With confidence soaring and a growing sense of belief within the squad, Koulibaly is optimistic about what lies ahead.
“We’ve shown that we can compete at this level,” he said. “It’s not just about the win—it’s about the way we played, the way we stood together. Al Hilal deserves its place among the top clubs in this tournament.”
For Koulibaly and his teammates, the mission is far from over. But on a night filled with drama and high emotion, Al Hilal delivered a statement to the world—and the message was clear.
