Man City stopped early at FIFA Club World Cup 2025. |
A defeat is not only a shock, but also an alarm bell for a team that is sleeping on its former glory. Losing 3-4 to Al Hilal in the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola and his team now face a harsh reality.
Unbelievable fall from horse
In a tournament that seemed like an opportunity for Man City to assert their position as the “new king” of global football like the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, they turned themselves into the main characters in their own comedy. The gates of heaven were wide open, when formidable opponents like Inter Milan were eliminated, Chelsea were wavering, and Al Hilal - the representative of Saudi Arabian football - seemed like just a stepping stone. But instead of moving on, Man City... fell flat on their face.
It was not an ordinary fall. It was the fall of a powerful, talented, ambitious team, but powerless to face real difficulties.
Man City started well, scoring early through Bernardo Silva, creating numerous chances and showing superiority. But as the game progressed, the truth became more and more obvious. Manchester City were no longer themselves when pushed into counter-attacking positions.
Al Hilal did not play like a team from the lowlands. They played like fierce warriors. Simone Inzaghi - who had just left Inter for the challenge of the Middle East - had a tactical masterclass, turning defensive counter-attacking into a deadly weapon. He took the lead three times, forced Man City to equalise three times, and the fatal stab in the 112th minute was proof of the perfect scenario.
With Haaland, Man City still cannot defeat Al Hilal. |
City defended as if they had never learned how to counter-attack. They were torn apart by Malcom, humiliated by simple through balls, and brought down by seemingly routine set pieces. Ruben Dias, a centre-back expected to lead the defence, was having a terrible day. Ake, Reijnders… - all looked disoriented.
And while Ederson had his worst game of the season, his opposite number, Yassine Bounou, played like he was defending a Champions League side. Not only did Bounou keep out Haaland, Doku and Gundogan, he inspired the Al Hilal defence to stand firm against a torrent of attacks.
What to worry about after a loss
What is worth mentioning is not just the defeat, but the way Man City collapsed. They talked about the positive spirit during the tour, praised the solidarity, the confidence, the training sessions full of smiles. But when pushed into a corner, the club crumbled. A team that had won the European Championship, with Haaland, Foden, Rodri, Dias... played like amateurs against an Al Hilal team that seemed far inferior in class.
Foden equalized with a classy finish - his 100th goal for the club - but it was a rare ray of light in the darkness. Soon after, Man City let Leonardo run in to finish, making it 4-3. No one approached, no one marked, and no one dared to block. Everyone stood and watched.
Pep Guardiola ended the match with a calm expression. He walked slowly to the middle of the field, shook hands with his opponent like a machine, limping, his eyes empty.
The happy days in America ended in humiliation. Pep admitted: “We had great training sessions, a positive atmosphere… but unfortunately, that did not translate into results.”
Pep faces many challenges in the coming time. |
This defeat raises many questions for Man City. Are they losing control? Haaland is injured, Rodri is also hurt, the defense is in disarray, the spirit is weak... The club talks a lot about "winning culture", but today, the only thing Man City left behind was arrogance and irresponsibility.
“Now let’s see if they dare to underestimate us again,” Al Hilal’s Milinkovic-Savic declared after the match. A strong response to those who have dismissed the Pro League as a “retirement league”. And if Man City continue to live on past glories, they will continue to lose – not just in the Club World Cup.
Man City returned to Manchester not with a trophy, but with questions that are not easy to answer. They are about tactics, squad depth, and true courage when faced with challenges. Because a team is only truly strong when it knows how to stand up after a fall - and Man City, at this moment, is still there, bewildered and trembling.
Man City fell to Al Hilal After Inter lost to Fluminense, it was Man City's turn to lose 3-4 to Al Hilal in the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ on the morning of July 1.
Source: https://znews.vn/man-city-thua-al-hilal-khong-khac-nao-su-lo-bich-post1565239.html
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