Club World Cup: Al-Hilal stun Manchester City, UCL finalists Inter Milan crash out

European football took a beating as Manchester City were shockingly beaten by Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 stage while Champions League finalists, Inter Milan also crashed out after being defeated by Fluminense.

In Short

• Manchester City were beaten by Al-Hilal in the round of 16.
• Fluminense took down Inter Milan as well
• Non-European sides continue to put up impressive displays

It was a shocking day for European football as both Manchester City and Inter Milan crashed out in the round of 16 stages of the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday, July 1. Pep Guardiola’s side were taken down by Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal thanks to a stoppage-time winner by Kalidou Koulibaly. Fluminense, the Brazilian giants, took down Inter with a convincing 2-0 win.

Al-Hilal produced a magical performance in the second half, where a brace by Marcos Leonardo alongside goals from Malcom and Kalidou Kouilbaly ensured that they kept the Premier League giants at bay, who had the lead at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Bernardo Silva gave City the opening goal in the ninth minute, and they went on to control the game for the first half.

But the second half saw Leonardo get the equaliser in the 46th minute while Malcom gave the Saudi Arabian side the lead.

Guardiola looked to reinforce his side’s defence with substitutions, bringing in the likes of Rodri, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji. The fresh legs ensured that City got the equaliser as Erling Haaland found the back of the net to keep the Premier League in the contest.

Both sides went on to make all five of their substitutions, but the match went on to extra time. Neither side looked to back down as Koulibaly’s header gave them the lead again via a brilliant corner kick by Ruben Neves.

The lead was short-lived as Rayan Cherki picked out Phil Foden, making the run into the box, which the Englishman went on to finish in style to give City the equaliser once again. The two sides were neck and neck until the end of the first half of extra time.

Leonardo once again found the back of the net thanks to a timely finish to ensure the Saudi-based side sealed a historic win.

FLUMINENSE TAKE DOWN UCL FINALISTS

Inter looked far from their best as Fluminense put up a brilliant performance to continue the impressive run of performances by Brazilian sides in the competition.

They extended their lead thanks to a fine finish by Hercules to ensure they went on to take the win.

Fluminense did not take long to take the lead as German Cano found the back of the net thanks to his brilliant presence of mind in the box.

Both Al-Hilal and Fluminense will meet in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament on Saturday, July 5.

- Ends