Al Hilal's 'Mount Everest' Moment
Inzaghi Hails Historic Win Over Manchester City
Al Hilal pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent Club World Cup history on Monday night, beating European champions Manchester City 4-3 after extra time in a breathtaking Round of 16 match.
The dramatic encounter at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ended with the Saudi side qualifying in a seven-goal thriller at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The decisive moment came in the 112th minute when Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo netted the winner, sending the Riyadh-based club into the quarter-finals, where they will face Brazil's Fluminense on Friday.
'This result is about the players and the heart they showed on the pitch tonight,' Inzaghi said after the match. 'We had to do something extraordinary because we all know Manchester City, that team. We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen – and we made it.'
The win is one of the most significant in Al Hilal's history, especially considering the context. Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola – widely regarded as one of the greatest tactical minds in the game – dominated much of the possession. Still, Al Hilal's resilience and clinical execution proved decisive.
'We were very well-organized in possession and played well from a technical point of view against a team that is really aggressive and strong in possession,' Inzaghi added. '(Pep) Guardiola, I believe, is the best coach in the world, but tonight we did our best and I believe we deserve this result.'
The Rise of Al Hilal
Since 2023, Al Hilal has undergone a significant transformation following a majority acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. This investment sparked an influx of international stars, including midfielders Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as well as defender Kalidou Koulibaly, all of whom played crucial roles in the team's success on Monday night.
Despite City's firepower and deep bench, Al Hilal matched them stride for stride, shwoing the impact of Saudi football's growing ambition on the global stage. The win not only shocks the football world but also underlines the Club World Cup's unpredictable nature.
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