Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-4 Al Hilal (FIFA Club World Cup Last-16) | OneFootball

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey is over for Manchester City, after an extremely hard-fought Round of 16 encounter with Al Hilal went the way of the Saudi Arabians after extra-time in Orlando.

Pep Guardiola’s side have produced some dazzling attacking displays in this tournament and the first-half was no different, albeit only yielding one goal as Bernardo Silva profited from a superb team move to finish.

But the second period was a much more end-to-end affair and, after a crazy spell in which Al Hilal levelled then went ahead through Marcos Leonardo and Malcolm and City got an equaliser of their own thanks to Erling Haaland, the game went to extra-time and after Kalidou Koulibaly and Phil Foden exchanged goals, Leonardo eventually bundled in the winner.

City fans would have been intrigued by the prospect of Jeremy Doku facing up against former Blue Joao Cancelo and the first meeting of the two saw the Belgian create a big chance within the opening five minutes, clipping up a cross for Ruben Dias to meet, but the defender couldn’t direct his header either side of goalkeeper Yassine Bono.

But not even ten minutes had elapsed before City did break the deadlock; a brilliant give-and-go between new signings Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders saw the former cut the ball back, with a ricochet off of Ilkay Gundogan seeing it drop kindly for Silva to snaffle in his first goal of the tournament.

Doku fancied it any time he managed to isolate Cancelo and put a cross just beyond the reach of Haaland, with the striker coming equally close to setting up a goal mere moments later when he slid a ball through to Savinho, and only the stretching Bono denied the Brazilian.

It seemed that a second City goal was inevitable and imminent – irresistible link-up between Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan allowed the latter a one-on-one which was again denied by Bono, and the Moroccan also stood tall to tip over Josko Gvardiol’s header from the resulting corner.

The advantage remained at just one though, and Al Hilal carved out their only real sniffs of goal in the first-half on the verge of the break, Leonardo stretching to meet a header and putting it high then Malcolm cutting inside and seeing his strike deflect wide.

And the Saudi Arabians made City pay for their failure to double their advantage with an equaliser seconds after the restart – Malcolm led a host of defenders a merry dance and gave it to Cancelo to cross, with the bobbling ball in the box eventually headed home by Leonardo.

The energy had changed, and within minutes the frontrunners in the game had too, as Cancelo broke free from a City corner and fired a searing trivela through-ball straight into Malcolm’s path, with the Brazilian staring down his compatriot Ederson and shooting clinically past him for 1-2.

But the crazy start to the second period continued as Haaland struck the game’s third goal in the space of ten minutes, slipping his shot between Bono’s legs after a corner dropped his way – what’s more, Al Hilal were only denied a penalty mere seconds later for a marginal offside against Malcolm.

The scoring calmed down thereafter, despite a host of openings for the Blues which included a Manuel Akanji header off the post and clearance off the goal-line from Haaland’s follow-in, and the match went into extra-time.

Koulibaly escaped Nathan Ake and nodded home to put Al Hilal in front yet again, with substitute duo Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden combined for another beautiful goal to equalise once more for the Blues, but their Saudi opponents put the final nail in the coffin when Leonardo grabbed his second from practically on the line to end the former champions’ Club World Cup hopes.

Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s disappointing FIFA Club World Cup exit at the hands of Al Hilal.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Ederson – 4

Had nothing to do in the first-half, but was caught napping at the start of the second as he didn’t properly gather Cancelo’s cross before Leonardo equalised. Conceded from the first three shots on target he faced, and despite a fine save from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, couldn’t prevent the fourth.

Matheus Nunes – 6

Provided his usual energy and vibrancy out wide, although didn’t make as many of his usual overlapping runs, instead allowing Savinho autonomy on the right flank. Unlucky to receive a yellow which was probably the reason for his substitution.

Ruben Dias – 6.5

Didn’t look comfortable operating with so much space behind him, but to his credit, managed to cut out the majority of the balls which threatened him. Did some great defending in his box too.

Josko Gvardiol – 5

Has rarely featured this tournament and was perhaps a little rusty as a result. Passed fine but stayed out of defensive duels, aside from picking up the yellow which, like with Nunes, likely cost him his place on the pitch.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 5.5

Showed his ability in advanced zones again, particularly in his delightful contribution to the opening goal. Had his first signs of defensive lapses in a City shirt though, losing Malcolm prior to Al Hilal’s equaliser and left eating dust by the Brazilian for the second.

Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5

Continued to impress in his work on the ball, finding all manner of angles for passes and runs. Was a little exposed in midfield prior to Rodri’s introduction, struggling to keep up on both Al Hilal goals in his time on the pitch.

Ilkay Gundogan – 6

Threatened at times in classic manner, ghosting into dangerous areas in the box and forcing a one-on-one save from Bono. Wasn’t keeping up with the fast-paced attacks that Al Hilal were developing and was substituted in favour of more defensive stability.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Opportunistically tucked away his first goal of the tournament. Like Gundogan, ought to have dropped in and supported Reijnders more, but did buzz around knitting play and swung in good set-pieces.

Savinho – 7.5

Very bright, as he has been for much of the tournament. Wasn’t afraid to try his luck, even from some fanciful distances, and gave Renan Lodi a very tough evening.

Erling Haaland – 7

A lot more involved than we’ve come to expect from the Norwegian, showing his technical qualities in linking moves. Was well-placed to equalise and was unlucky not to add further goals from some good efforts.

Jeremy Doku – 7.5 (MOTM)

Near-constantly involved, going at Cancelo time and time again with such danger. Had more success in the first half than in what followed, but remained a prominent figure in the game throughout.

Substitutes

Manuel Akanji – 6

Made an incredible last-ditch challenge to deny Nasser Al Dawsari shortly after being introduced. Did disrupt City’s flow down the right a little with his inferior offensive skills to Nunes, but was also unlucky to see his header come off the post.

Nathan Ake – 6

Got up to speed quickly enough to enact the high defensive line. Lost Koulibaly for Al Hilal’s third goal, but denied Ruben Neves Al Hilal’s fifth.

Rodri – 5

Slotted into the passing game for the most part but still made some errors which you wouldn’t see from a Rodri at the peak of his powers. Unusually came off in extra-time having himself come on inside the 90 minutes.

Rayan Cherki – 7.5

Got straight to business after coming on, getting on the ball and trying things. Succeeded in spectacular fashion to assist Foden and looked to be the man who could have dug City out of trouble.

Omar Marmoush – 5.5

Received the ball in decent areas but couldn’t make the difference.

Phil Foden – 6.5

Showcased his intelligence and technique with a terrific goal. Didn’t do much otherwise.