Despite an underwhelming 2024/2025 campaign on the pitch culminating in a narrow 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley, marking a rare trophyless season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the Premier League giants were widely tipped as one of the favourites for the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Their status was bolstered by key summer signings, including left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, who were seen as vital pieces in Guardiola’s rebuild.
City’s early form in the tournament appeared to justify their billing. They breezed through the group stage with a 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca, a 6-0 demolition of Al-Ain, and an impressive 5-2 victory over Juventus, performances that suggested a resurgence of Guardiola’s trademark attacking style.
However, in a dramatic round of 16 upset, City crashed out after a 4-3 defeat to 2023/2024 Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal. Despite enjoying 69% possession, City’s high defensive line was repeatedly exposed.
Bernardo Silva fired City ahead in the ninth minute after a brilliant assist by Ilkay Gundogan ensuring the Citizens were in the driving seat by half time.
Al-Hilal however turned the tie quickly in their favour 7 minutes into the second half as Marcos Leonardo’s 46th minute goal leveled the tie before Malcom fired the Saudi Arabian giants ahead in the 52nd minute.
Erling Haaland briefly revived City’s hopes with a goal in the 55th minute, taking the game to added extra time after a 2-2 full time score.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s header from Ruben Neves corner kick in the 94th minute after a swift counter attack restored Al-Hilal’s lead but 5 minutes later Phil Foden restored parity.
Just when it looked like the tie would be settled by penalties, Marcos Leonardo sealed Al-Hilal’s victory with his second of the match and fourth goal for Al-Hilal in the closing stages securing a 4-3 victory against the citizens.
Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper Yassin Bounou insane total of ten saves against Man City perhaps proved crucial too in this clash.
Adding to the tournament’s drama, fellow European powerhouse Inter Milan also suffered a shock 2-0 exit at the same stage. The Serie A champions were dumped out by Brazil’s Fluminese.
German Cano and Hercules were the heros of the Thiago Silva-led Brazilian side as they each scored in the 2-0 victory.
The surprise exits of both Manchester City and Inter Milan have blown the competition wide open, leaving the likes of Al-Hilal and Palmeiras eyeing an unexpected path to global glory.
For City, the defeat caps a frustrating season both at home and abroad, raising fresh questions about Guardiola’s tactical approach in knockout tournaments. The focus now turns to how City will regroup ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign, as pressure mounts on the manager to return the club to winning ways.
Al-Hilal will next face Fluminese in what promises to be a thrilling quarter-final clash while Palmeiras will play Chelsea. Another quarter final tie will pit European heavyweights PSG and Bayern Munich while the last tie will be determined by today’s match between Real Madrid vs Juventus and tomorrow’s Dortmund vs Monterrey.
