FIFA CWC: Al-Hilal beats Man City to reach Quarter Final

Defending champions Manchester City suffered a shock exit from the Club World Cup at the last 16 stage after losing an extraordinary seven-goal thriller to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in extra time.

Pep Guardiola’s men had breezed through the group stage without trouble but crumbled defensively in a chaotic encounter that saw them concede four times.

True to form, City started brightly, opening the scoring in the ninth minute through captain Bernardo Silva, who tapped home after a scramble in the box, though Al-Hilal players protested a possible handball by Rayan Ait-Nouri in the build-up.

Despite creating chances to extend their lead, City were denied repeatedly by Al-Hilal goalkeeper Bono, who made vital saves to frustrate the Premier League side. However, it was after the restart that the game took a dramatic turn.

Just 44 seconds into the second half, Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo equalised with a header, and former Barcelona winger Malcom put the Saudis ahead with a composed finish minutes later.

Erling Haaland brought City level again, prodding home from a corner.

City pushed for a winner, with Manuel Akanji hitting the post and Haaland’s follow-up cleared off the line in a frantic finish to normal time.

In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly thought he had won it for Al-Hilal with a powerful header, but Phil Foden’s volleyed equaliser moments later kept City’s hopes alive.

However, Marcos Leonardo struck again at the back post with just eight minutes remaining, sealing a famous 4-3 victory for Al-Hilal and sending the AFC Champions League winners into the quarter-finals.