1. Blazing Start & Controversial Opening
- Manchester City took an early lead through Bernardo Silva, following a looping cross and ricochet — despite Al‑Hilal alleging a handball in the buildup. VAR and the referee ruled the goal valid
- City dominated possession (around 71%) and peppered Al‑Hilal’s goal with chances, but failed to convert.Dramatic Knockout Clash: Al‑Hilal Eliminate Manchester City 4–3 (AET)
2. Al‑Hilal Storm Back
- Kalidou Koulibaly equalized early in extra time via a Nico Neves corner, catching City’s defense cold
- Al‑Hilal kept pushing and Mohamed Malcolm scored their third, handily rolling the ball past Ederson
3. Foden’s Milestone But Insufficient
- Phil Foden was delayed to the bench; when he finally came on, he scored a brilliant volley — his 100th goal for City — to level the game at 3–3
- However, in the 112th minute, Marcos Leonardo headed home what would be the winning goal for Al‑Hilal
4. Key Tactical & Strategic Takeaways
- City struggled to finish chances, allowing Al‑Hilal to capitalize.
- Pep Guardiola’s decision to bench Foden proved pivotal, with critics questioning the timing given Foden’s impact
- Al‑Hilal, under Simone Inzaghi, showcased resilience and tactical discipline—especially their compact defense built around experienced players
5. Consequences & Context
- Manchester City are out, missing out on a £9.6 million payday and a spot in the quarterfinals .
- Al‑Hilal advance to face Fluminense
- The upset signals the growing competitive strength of Saudi clubs on the global stage, bolstered by star signings like Koulibaly, Malcolm, and Leonardo
🧠Quick Recap
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score (AET) | Al‑Hilal 4–3 Manchester City |
| Early Goal | Bernardo Silva for City (off-handball controversy) |
| Extra-time Drama | Koulibaly, Malcolm, Foden (100th City goal), Leonardo |
| Turning Point | Leonardo’s header in 112’ seals upset |
| Aftermath | City miss out on quarterfinals and prize money; Al‑Hilal now face Fluminense |