In a stunning upset at the Camping World Stadium in Florida, Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal eliminated Premier League champions Manchester City from the FIFA Club World Cup with a thrilling 4-3 victory in the Round of 16.
The much-anticipated clash between the Asian powerhouse Al Hilal and English heavyweights Manchester City delivered fireworks, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess in an all-action match. Despite being considered underdogs, Al Hilal produced a composed and tactical performance to edge past the reigning European champions.
Al Hilal’s goals came courtesy of a brilliant brace by Brazilian forward Marcos, while Malcom and Kalidou Koulibaly each added a goal to complete the stunning scoreline. The match saw end-to-end action, with Manchester City also managing to score three goals, but ultimately falling short in what was one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far.
With this win, Al Hilal advances to the quarterfinal stage of the competition, signaling their strong intent to challenge for the title on the global stage.
Their victory not only highlights the rapid growth of football in Asia but also demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of clubs from outside Europe and South America in the Club World Cup.
The result marks a significant achievement for the Saudi Arabian club, who now look forward to their next challenge with high spirits and growing international support.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will return home disappointed, having failed to capitalize on their status as one of the world’s top football clubs.
This memorable match will go down in history as a reminder that in football, anything is possible.
The Kabul Times