The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 witnessed a historic upset as Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia defeated European giants Manchester City 4-3 in extra time during the Round of 16, marking the first-ever victory by an Asian club over a European side in a FIFA-organized club competition . The triumph propelled the Saudi outfit into the quarterfinals, where they will face fellow underdogs Fluminense of Brazil, who also shocked Inter Milan 2-0 in their knockout clash.
Group Stage Resilience
Al-Hilal’s journey to the knockout rounds was defined by grit and tactical discipline. Drawn into a challenging Group H alongside Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg，and Pachuca, the Saudi champions secured a 1-1 draw against Madrid in their opener . Ruben Neves’ 41st-minute penalty canceled out Vinícius Júnior’s early goal, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s last-minute save from Federico Valverde’s penalty ensured a crucial point .
In their second match, Al-Hilal held Red Bull Salzburg to a goalless draw, with Bounou once again proving impervious between the posts, making six key saves to preserve parity . The decisive third match saw them dominate Pachuca 2-0, with Salem Al-Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo scoring either side of halftime to seal second place in the group .
Shock Victory Over Manchester City
Facing a Manchester City side that had scored 13 goals in three dominant group-stage wins , Al-Hilal delivered a masterclass in counterattacking football. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for City in the 9th minute, capitalizing on a deflection to give the English champions an early lead . However, Al-Hilal responded with relentless energy:
Leonardo equalized in the 47th minute, converting a rebound after Ederson parried Malcolm’s shot .
Malcolm then stunned City with a 60-meter solo run, coolly slotting past Ederson to put Al-Hilal ahead .
Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header briefly restored parity, but Al-Hilal refused to yield .
In extra time, Kalidou Koulibaly’s towering header from a Ruben Neves corner gave Al-Hilal a 3-2 lead . Though Phil Foden’s acrobatic finish leveled the score at 3-3, Leonardo sealed the historic victory in the 113th minute, tapping in a rebound after Ederson failed to hold Milinković-Savić’s header . Bounou’s 10 saves throughout the match—including a point-blank stop on Julián Álvarez—were pivotal in frustrating City’s relentless attack .
Asian Football’s Milestone
Al-Hilal’s progression is a landmark moment for Asian football, as the other three Asian representatives— Ulsan HD (South Korea), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), and Al Ain (UAE)—all exited in the group stage . While Al Ain secured a 2-1 win over Wydad Casablanca in their final match, it was insufficient to advance . Al-Hilal’s resilience highlights the growing competitiveness of Asian clubs on the global stage, particularly under the guidance of coach Jorge Jesus, whose tactical adjustments neutralized City’s midfield dominance .
Fluminense’s Brazilian Resurgence
Al-Hilal’s quarterfinal opponents, Fluminense, also defied expectations by defeating Inter Milan 2-0. The Brazilian side capitalized on early pressure, with Cano scoring from a header in the 3rd minute before Héctor Herrera sealed the win in stoppage time . Their victory underscores South America’s resurgent challenge to European hegemony in club football.
Rule Changes and Impact
The 2025 Club World Cup introduced FIFA’s 8-second goalkeeper rule, which limits goalkeepers’ time in possession . While no direct violations were reported in Al-Hilal’s matches, the regulation likely influenced City’s high-pressing tactics, forcing Ederson into quicker distribution—a factor that may have contributed to his second-half errors .
Looking Ahead
Al-Hilal’s quarterfinal clash with Fluminense promises to be a battle of contrasting styles: the Saudi side’s defensive organization versus Brazil’s flair. Should they advance, they could face Real Madrid or Juventus in the semifinals—a daunting prospect, but one that Al-Hilal’s players and fans now embrace with newfound confidence.
