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Club World Cup : Fluminense Knock Out Inter Milan with Early and Late Goals.
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Al-Hilal Defeat Man City 4–3 in Extra-Time Club World Cup Classic.
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Brazil’s Fluminense Set for Semi-Final Showdown Against Al-Hilal.
Also Read : Club World Cup : PSG Breeze Past Inter Miami 4-0, Book Quarter Finals Spot
In a night of high drama at the Club World Cup, Manchester City were sensationally knocked out after a thrilling 4–3 extra-time defeat to Saudi giants Al-Hilal in Orlando.
Despite taking an early lead, City’s hopes of a first world title were dashed by a spirited and clinical Al-Hilal side who refused to back down.
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The match started brightly for the Premier League champions as Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock in the 9th minute.
City created several chances thereafter but failed to make them count.
That wastefulness came back to haunt them when Al-Hilal roared into life in the second half.
Marcos Leonardo and Malcom scored in quick succession to flip the game on its head.
Erling Haaland brought City back level to force extra time, but the pendulum swung again when Kalidou Koulibaly powered home to restore Al-Hilal’s advantage.
Not long after, Phil Foden equalised once more, injecting fresh belief into the City side.
However, in the 112th minute, Leonardo found the net again, bagging his second goal of the match and securing a famous win for the Saudi outfit.
While Manchester City dominated large parts of the game, they struggled to cope with Al-Hilal’s counter-attacking threat.
Time and again, they were exposed at the back, and their inability to kill off the game proved costly.
Adding to the controversy was City’s opening goal, which involved a suspected handball, but with no VAR in use, play went on.
Al-Hilal’s triumph sends them through to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, where they will now face Brazil’s Fluminense, who also enjoyed a stunning result earlier.
In another major upset at the Club World Cup, Fluminense eliminated Italian heavyweights Inter Milan with a clinical 2–0 win in Charlotte.
German Cano got the Brazilians off to a dream start, heading in just three minutes into the game following a deflected cross from Jhon Arias.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Inter Milan couldn’t break through Fluminense’s defence.
Both Stefan de Vrij and Lautaro Martinez came quite near, but Hercules, the substitute, ended the match.
His goal in injury time from a loose ball inside the area was the decisive factor that guaranteed Fluminense a spot in the quarterfinals.
Brazilian clubs have had a number of outstanding tournament performances, this one being just another.
With Fluminense now joining Botafogo and Flamengo as South American sides who have bested top European competition, the balance of power at the Club World Cup is clearly shifting.
Veteran defender Thiago Silva marshalled the Fluminense backline with experience and composure, demonstrating why his team won the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
They are now to go head-to-head with Al-Hilal in the quarter – final.
