Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has lavished praise on his players after their stunning 4-3 victory in extra time over reigning European champions Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.
The dramatic clash, played in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Camping World Stadium, saw Inzaghi’s men overcome the odds with a performance the Italian coach described as “climbing Everest without oxygen.”
⚽ Match Recap
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Bernardo Silva opened the scoring early for City.
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Marcos Leonardo equalised for Al Hilal in the second half.
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Malcom gave Al Hilal the lead in the 52nd minute.
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Erling Haaland levelled for City, forcing the game into extra time.
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Kalidou Koulibaly headed Al Hilal into the lead once again.
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Phil Foden struck back for City to make it 3-3.
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Leonardo sealed his brace in the 112th minute with the match-winner.
Inzaghi’s Reaction
In his post-match comments, Inzaghi couldn’t hide his admiration for the character and execution shown by his squad:
“We knew we had to do something extraordinary if we were to beat Manchester City — and that is exactly what the boys did tonight,” he said.
“The lads were simply wonderful. We had to climb Everest without oxygen to win this game, and we made it. All the players were exceptional in everything — in possession, in non-possession, in discipline.”
What’s Next?
Al Hilal will now face Fluminense in the quarter-finals. The Brazilian club earned their spot after a surprise 2-0 victory over Inter Milan, adding another layer of unpredictability to a tournament already full of shocks.
Analysis
Al Hilal’s victory is already being called one of the biggest upsets in Club World Cup history, knocking out a team many assumed was a favorite for the title. With Leonardo’s heroics, Inzaghi’s tactical discipline, and a fearless team mentality, the Saudi giants are proving that they belong on the world stage.
