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Manchester City were sent packing from the FIFA Club World Cup after they lost to Al Hilal 4-3 on July 1
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A brace from Marcos Lenardo, including the winner in extra time, made the difference as Simone Inzaghi got his revenge on Pep Guardiola
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Following the result, Chelsea, who are the only remaining English team in the competition, have now learnt who they’ll play en route to the final
Al Hilal produced arguably the most stunning result of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after they knocked out Manchester City on Tuesday morning.
The Saudi Arabia giants beat Pep Guardiola’s side 4-3 in an enthralling Round of 16 clash at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The two managers, Simone Inzaghi and Guardiola, are no strangers to each other, having met in high-profile matches in Europe, none bigger than the 2023 Champions League final when City beat Inter Milan.
Inzaghi left Inter Milan last month after losing another Champions League final, this time to Paris Saint-Germain, to move to the Middle East.
How Man City were knocked out of Club World Cup
The Italian tactician got the better of Guardiola this time as he masterminded the 4-3 win to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Manchester City were the overwhelming favourites to win the whole competition, but a resilient showing from Al Hilal put them on the back foot before the surprise elimination.
Newly-installed captain Bernado Silva opened the scoring inside nine minutes under controversial circumstances after the officials missed a handball offence by Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Al-Hilal came back after the restart thanks to a Marcos Leonardo goal before taking the lead through Malcolm.
The lead didn’t last long as Erling Haaland restored parity on the other end. No team could get the breakthrough, forcing an extra period of another 30 minutes.
The Blue Waves drew first blood in extra time thanks to a header from Kalidou Koulibaly, but substitutes Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki came off the bench to draw things level once again.
Leonardo bagged his second of the night after Sergei Milinkovic-Savic had forced a brilliant save from Ederson. The Brazilian striker was on hand to tap in the rebound in what proved to be the ultimate difference between the two sides.
Pep Guardiola issues Rodri update
Of bigger concern to Manchester City was that Rodri was taken off with an injury. The reigning Ballon d’Or holder didn’t start the game as he continues to be eased back after tearing his ACL last year.
He was introduced in the 53rd minute for Ilkay Gundogan before leaving the pitch in the 10th minute of extra time for Phil Foden.
“We have to see Rodri; he complained about his situation, but we need time to come back,” said Guardiola as quoted by the Mirror.
Al Hilal will now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Brazilian side Fluminense. Fluminense pulled off a surprise of their own earlier in the evening after they beat Inzaghi’s former side, Inter Milan.
Chelsea’s potential path to Club World Cup final
The biggest winner so far is Chelsea, who will now have easier fixtures on paper on their way to the final.
The Blues will, of course, be wary of facing two sides that have knocked out two European giants, but any Chelsea fan would rather face them than Inter and Manchester City.
Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 in that crazy game that lasted over four hours to set up a quarter-final tie against Palmeiras.
Should they beat Palmeiras, Enzo Maresca’s side will face the winner between Al Hilal and Fluminense, rather than Inter Milan or Manchester City. A win in that game will see Maresca reach his second final as Chelsea boss.
Who will reach the Club World Cup final?
The other side of the draw has the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus.
PSG will play Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals after seeing off Inter Miami and Flamengo, respectively.
Real Madrid and Juventus will meet in the other Round of 16 clash for a chance to face one of Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey.
Messi accused of trying to punch PSG player
In a separate report, Lionel Messi was accused of trying to hit a PSG player during Inter Miami’s Round of 16 game at the Club World Cup.
Messi’s team were beaten 4-0 in what was the first time he faced his former club.
A video of the Argentine star lashing out at Vitinha and almost hitting him surfaced online.
