Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou put in a standout performance as Al Hilal shocked Manchester City to book a place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday.
The match, held at the Camping World Stadium in Florida, saw the Saudi Arabian side triumph in dramatic fashion.
Despite Manchester City’s early dominance, which saw Ruben Dias squander a close-range header, Bernardo Silva gave the Premier League champions a ninth-minute lead with a scrappy finish.
City maintained pressure throughout the first half, but Bounou produced a series of crucial saves to keep Al Hilal in the contest.
Al Hilal turned the game on its head shortly after the restart. Marcos Leonardo leveled the score with a header following a chaotic goalmouth scramble, and just five minutes later, Malcom stunned City with a second goal to put the Saudi side in front.
Erling Haaland responded swiftly, converting from a corner to make it 2-2 and force the game into extra time under the sweltering Florida heat.
In the added period, Kalidou Koulibaly restored Al Hilal’s lead with a powerful header, only for Phil Foden to equalize shortly after coming off the bench.
However, Leonardo sealed a famous victory for Al Hilal with his second goal of the match in the 112th minute.
Al Hilal will now face Brazilian champions Fluminense—who eliminated Inter Milan—in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 4, at the same venue. Kick-off is set for 19:00 GMT.
